Sonia Gandhi Calls Out India's Silence on Iran Leader's Assassination: A Diplomatic Dilemma?

Sonia Gandhi Critiques Government's Response to Iran's Supreme Leader's Assassination

New Delhi: Sonia Gandhi, the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), has expressed her discontent with the Indian government's lack of response to the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid joint airstrikes by the US and Israel.

She emphasized that the absence of an official statement is not a neutral stance but rather an 'abdication' of responsibility.

In her op-ed for The Indian Express, titled 'Government’s silence on killing of Iran leader is not neutral, it is abdication', Gandhi remarked, 'The assassination of a sitting head of state during ongoing negotiations signifies a serious disruption in modern international relations. However, what is equally alarming is New Delhi's silence on the matter.'

She pointed out that the Indian government has 'failed to condemn the assassination or the infringement on Iranian sovereignty'.

Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initially condemning Iran's retaliatory actions against the UAE while neglecting the context of the US-Israeli attacks. She noted that Modi later expressed 'deep concern' and spoke of 'dialogue and diplomacy', which were already in progress before the unprovoked strikes.

'When a foreign leader is targeted without a clear defense of sovereignty or international law from our nation, it raises significant questions about the integrity and credibility of our foreign policy,' she stated.

Gandhi asserted that 'silence in this case is not neutral', highlighting that the assassination occurred 'without a formal declaration of war and during an ongoing diplomatic process'.

She referenced Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, arguing that the targeted killing of a head of state undermines these principles. 'If such actions go unchallenged by the world's largest democracy, it becomes easier to normalize the erosion of international norms,' she warned.

The Congress leader also criticized Modi for his 'unwavering support' of the Israeli government amid the Gaza conflict, stating that India's 'high-profile political endorsement without moral clarity represents a troubling shift'.

Reiterating Congress's position on the assassination, she described it as a 'dangerous escalation with serious regional and global implications'.

Gandhi recalled Iran's support for India at the UN in 1994 when Kashmir was discussed, noting that Iran played a crucial role in blocking a resolution against India.

She also mentioned Iran's facilitation of India's diplomatic presence in Zahedan, which serves as a strategic counter to the Gwadar port and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Reflecting on past relations, she noted that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee reaffirmed 'deep ties' with Iran during his visit in 2001, yet questioned the current government's disregard for these longstanding relations.

'India's relationships with Israel have expanded significantly in defense, agriculture, and technology. Our ability to maintain ties with both Tehran and Tel Aviv grants us diplomatic leverage to advocate for restraint. However, this leverage relies on credibility, which must stem from principled actions rather than expediency,' she explained.

Expressing concern for Indian citizens in Gulf nations facing attacks, Gandhi stated, 'India's capacity to protect its citizens hinges on its credibility as an independent actor, not as a proxy.'

The CPP chairperson concluded that the assassination of a foreign leader, the erosion of international norms, and the escalating instability in West Asia are critical issues that directly impact India's strategic interests and moral obligations. 'A clear articulation of India's stance is overdue. Democratic accountability demands it, and strategic clarity requires it,' she asserted.

Emphasizing India's ethos of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family', Gandhi remarked, 'This civilizational principle is not merely a ceremonial slogan; it embodies a commitment to justice, restraint, and dialogue, even when it is challenging. In times when the rules-based order is under strain, silence equates to abdication. India has long aspired to be more than a regional power; it aims to be the conscience of the world.'

'This stature was built on a readiness to advocate for sovereignty, peace, non-violence, and justice, even when inconvenient. Now, there is an urgent need for us to rediscover that moral strength and articulate it with clarity and commitment,' she concluded.