Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 21: In a strongly worded critique of the Modi government’s foreign policy, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has raised serious concerns over India’s muted stance on the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Iran. Labeling it a “surrender of values” and a break from India’s established diplomatic ethos, Gandhi called for an urgent realignment of foreign policy in the face of escalating humanitarian crises in West Asia.
Writing in a national daily, Gandhi decried New Delhi’s response—or lack thereof—as alarming. “India’s silence in the face of widespread destruction in Gaza and now in response to Israel’s escalations against Iran, marks a troubling deviation from our long-held principles of non-alignment, peaceful conflict resolution, and the support for a two-state solution,” she wrote.
She noted that India's traditional commitment to a peaceful, independent Palestinian state coexisting with Israel in mutual security has been effectively abandoned. “What we’re witnessing is not merely a diplomatic misstep—it’s the forfeiture of our nation’s moral compass,” Gandhi warned.
Despite the current stance, Gandhi believes there is still time to course-correct. “India must act now—clearly, responsibly, and decisively. We must engage all diplomatic channels to de-escalate tensions and revive meaningful dialogue in West Asia,” she appealed.
Highlighting India’s historical and civilizational ties with Iran, Gandhi urged the government to play a more proactive role. “Our long-standing relationship with Iran and our strategic partnership with Israel place us in a unique position to act as a bridge for peace. This isn't abstract idealism—it’s a national imperative. Millions of Indian citizens live and work in the region. Regional peace is directly tied to our national interest.”
She also directed criticism toward Israel, stating that its recent military actions against Iran were enabled by “near-unconditional” backing from powerful Western allies. Gandhi condemned what she called “an atmosphere of impunity,” urging accountability and international oversight.
While reaffirming the Congress Party’s strong condemnation of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, Gandhi insisted that this cannot justify Israel’s “catastrophic and disproportionate” military response. “Entire neighborhoods have been decimated. Hospitals are destroyed. Gaza teeters on the edge of famine. Over 55,000 Palestinians have lost their lives. We cannot remain silent in the face of such devastation,” she wrote.
Gandhi also took aim at former U.S. President Donald Trump for what she called dangerous hypocrisy. Once critical of America’s interventionist wars, Trump now seems willing to tread the same path, she noted. Citing his June 17 remarks downplaying intelligence reports and exaggerating Iran’s nuclear ambitions, she said, “This type of rhetoric only deepens instability. The world today needs leadership grounded in truth and committed to diplomacy—not driven by fiction or force.”
In sum, Gandhi’s article serves as a stark reminder of India’s fading global voice in matters of peace and conflict. She urged a swift return to India’s traditional role as a moral and diplomatic leader on the global stage, especially in regions where its stakes—strategic, humanitarian, and national—are undeniably high.