Sonia Gandhi slams Centre's silence on Israel-Iran conflict, calls it a 'moral failure'

Sonia Gandhi (file image)

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has criticised the Indian government’s silence on the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran, calling it a “diplomatic failure” and a departure from India’s “moral and strategic traditions.”

In an opinion piece published in The Hindu, Gandhi condemned Israel’s airstrike on Iranian military targets on June 13 as “illegal” and “a violation of sovereignty.”

The strike reportedly hit key military installations in Iran, triggering retaliatory missile and drone exchanges and escalating tensions between the two regional rivals.

In her article, Gandhi stated that the Indian National Congress “strongly condemns these bombings and targeted assassinations,” warning that such actions will only “deepen instability and sow the seeds of further conflict.” She also accused Israel of showing “utter disregard for civilian lives and regional stability,” particularly regarding its ongoing campaign in Gaza.

Highlighting India’s traditional role in West Asia, Gandhi argued that the Modi government’s silence on the violence in Gaza and now on Iran reflects “not just a loss of voice but a surrender of values.”

She called for India to reassert its diplomatic role by speaking “clearly and responsibly” and urged the government to engage in efforts to reduce tensions and promote dialogue in the region.

Gandhi also criticised former US President Donald Trump, accusing him of ignoring intelligence community assessments in favour of “aggressive posturing” similar to that preceding the 2003 Iraq invasion. She warned that Trump was “repeating the same mistakes that led to the war in Iraq.”

The op-ed further traced India’s historical ties with Iran, which Gandhi noted have supported India at key diplomatic moments, such as at the UN Human Rights Commission in 1994 when it helped block a critical resolution on Kashmir.

“Iran has been a long-standing friend to India,” she wrote, contrasting this with the former monarchy in Iran, which had leaned toward Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars.

Gandhi pointed out that the US’s withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has directly harmed India’s strategic and economic interests, particularly regarding the Chabahar Port and the North-South Transport Corridor.

She also highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that over 55,000 Palestinians have been killed, with entire neighbourhoods and hospitals reduced to rubble. “Gaza stands on the brink of famine, and its civilian population continues to suffer unspeakable hardship,” she wrote.

Her op-ed was published shortly after Mohammad Javad Hosseini, Iran’s Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi, called on India and other countries to condemn what Tehran termed “Israeli military aggression.”

In a press briefing, Hosseini stated that Israel’s actions constituted a “breach of international law” and warned of wider regional consequences. “We believe every country, including India, should condemn it — not because of their relations with Iran, but because these actions contravene global norms,” Hosseini said.