Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday came out with a scathing attack on the Indian government's silence on the destruction in Gaza and Iran, terming it "not just a loss of its voice, but also a surrender of values.
In a strongly-worded article titled It is still not too late for India’s voice to be heard, published in The Hindu, Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of abandoning India’s long-standing and principled support for a peaceful two-state solution — one that envisages a sovereign Palestine existing alongside Israel in mutual security and dignity.
Speaking about the recent upsurge in West Asia, Gandhi mentioned the "deeply worrying and illegal attack" by Israel on Iranian soil on June 13, which she called a blatant breach of Iran's sovereignty and an aggressive act of unilateral militarism.
"Silence in New Delhi about the destruction in Gaza and now the unprovoked aggression against Iran is a worrying departure from our moral and diplomatic traditions," she averred. "This is not only a loss of voice but also a loss of values."
She said it was not too late for India to raise its voice. "India needs to speak forcefully, act responsibly, and employ all avenues of diplomacy available to de-escalate tensions and urge a resumption of talks in West Asia," she stated.
Gandhi also condemned the United States, specifically former President Donald Trump, for what she called a "destructive path" in the region.
She specifically referred to his recent announcement on 17 June rejecting US intelligence estimates and asserting that Iran was "very close" to achieving nuclear capability, which she labeled as "deeply disappointing."
"The world expects and needs leadership that is rooted in facts and motivated by diplomacy, and not force or lies," she stated.
The senior Congress leader drew attention to the fact that Iran has been a long-time friend of India, pointing to its assistance at times of need, such as during the 1994 United Nations Commission on Human Rights vote on Jammu and Kashmir.
Iran has historically been a strong ally, even in Jammu and Kashmir at times of critical importance," Gandhi wrote, comparing the Islamic Republic's cooperation with India against the Imperial State of Iran, which had supported Pakistan in the 1965 and 1971 wars.
She asserted that India's increasing strategic engagement with Israel, although significant, positions the nation uniquely to serve as a bridge for peace and de-escalation.
"This is that special position that grants our nation the moral commitment and diplomatic clout to play the role of a bridge," she asserted, adding that regional peace is also a matter of critical national interest since lakhs of Indian citizens reside and work in West Asia.
Gandhi also criticized Israel's continued military offensive in Gaza as "catastrophic and disproportionate."
She stated that although the Indian National Congress had strongly denounced the "absolutely horrific and totally unacceptable attacks" by Hamas on 7 October 2023, silence regarding Israel's response was unacceptable.
Over 55,000 Palestinians have been killed. Whole families, communities, and even hospitals have been destroyed. Gaza is on the edge of famine, and civilians are still facing unimaginable suffering," she stated.
She attributed the escalation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.
"The present Israeli leadership under Prime Minister Netanyahu has a long and sorry history of sabotaging peace and encouraging extremism," Gandhi wrote, noting that it was "no surprise" Netanyahu opted for "escalation over engagement."
The Congress leader ended her article with a reiteration of the need for India to speak up and go back to its origins of diplomacy, moral obligation, and devotion to peace.
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