Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has sharply criticized the Indian government’s "silence" regarding the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a column for The Indian Express, Gandhi argued that New Delhi's lack of a formal stance is "not neutrality, but an abdication" of its global responsibilities.
The veteran leader’s comments come after the Indian government refrained from issuing an official statement on the death of Khamenei, instead limiting its response to calling for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East.
Key Points from Sonia Gandhi's Column
Strategic & Civilizational Ties: Gandhi emphasized that India’s relationship with Tehran is not just strategic but deeply "civilizational," noting that Iran has historically facilitated India’s diplomatic and economic presence in the region to balance other powers.
Violation of International Law: She noted that the assassination of a sitting head of state during ongoing diplomatic negotiations marks a "grave rupture" in international relations and violates Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.
Criticism of PM Modi: Gandhi pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel—concluding just 48 hours before the assassination—and his subsequent condemnation of Iranian retaliatory strikes on the UAE, without addressing the initial attack on Iran, raises "serious doubts" about the credibility of India’s foreign policy.
The Global South’s Trust: She warned that if the world’s largest democracy fails to defend the principle of sovereignty today, nations in the Global South may lose trust in India’s ability to defend them in the future.
Background on the Conflict
The assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei occurred on Saturday (February 28) during a joint US-Israeli operation dubbed "The Epic Fury."
US President Donald Trump described the event as the "greatest chance" for the Iranian people to reclaim their country.
In response, Iran launched "Operation Truthful Promise 4," firing missiles and drones at US military bases in Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE, as well as targets in Tel Aviv.
The resulting closure of regional airspace has left millions of civilians and travelers, including Indian nationals and sports teams, stranded across West Asia.
Source: NDTV / The Indian Express
