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Replying to Sonia Gandhi’s opinion, BJP stated that India’s stance is clear in terms of Israel and Iran conflict and New Delhi wants both countries to de-escalate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi | File Image/ANI
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Saturday questioned India’s silence on the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran and said that it not only represents a diplomatic lapse but a departure from India’s “moral and strategic traditions”. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was quick in responding to the Congress’s accusations and said that the grand old party is seeing the diplomatic issues through the lens of their politics.
The saffron party further stated that India’s stance is clear in terms of Israel and Iran conflict and New Delhi wants both countries to de-escalate.
Replying to Sonia Gandhi, BJP spokesperson RP Singh said, “The problem is Congress. They are seeing diplomacy through a lens of their politics. India’s stance is clear that both countries should de-escalate.”
What Did Sonia Gandhi Say?
Sonia Gandhi condemned Israel’s attack on Iranian territory and termed it “unlawful”. The Congress leader also stated that Iran has been a long-standing friend to India and is bound by deep civilisational ties.
In an Op-ed for The Hindu titled as “It Is Still Not Too Late For India’s Voice To Be Heard“, Sonia Gandhi wrote that the Indian National Congress condemns Israeli bombings and their targeted assassinations on Iranian soil, which represent a dangerous escalation with grave regional and global consequences. “As with so many of Israel’s recent actions, including its brutal and disproportionate campaign in Gaza, this operation was executed with utter disregard for civilian lives and regional stability. These actions will only deepen instability and sow the seeds of further conflict,” she wrote.
The Congress leader also reminded India that Iran has supported New Delhi on multiple occasions. “In 1994, Iran helped block a resolution critical of India at the UN Commission on Human Rights on the Kashmir issue,” she said.
She also reminded that the collapse of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – following the United States’ unilateral withdrawal in 2018 – had undermined years of multilateral diplomacy, highlighting that the decision had severely affected India’s economic interests, especially around the Chabahar Port project and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
“More than 55,000 Palestinians have lost their lives. Entire families, neighbourhoods, and even hospitals have been obliterated. Gaza stands on the brink of famine, and its civilian population continues to suffer unspeakable hardship,” she added.
Sonia Gandhi Questions New Delhi’s Diplomatic Move
The Congress leader further raised doubts on India’s diplomatic move in regards to the recent conflict between Iran and Israel and said, “New Delhi’s silence on the devastation in Gaza and now on the unprovoked escalation against Iran reflects a disturbing departure from our moral and diplomatic traditions. This represents not just a loss of voice but also a surrender of values.”
In the concluding paragraphs, Sonia Gandhi urged India to speak clearly and wrote, “It is still not too late. India must speak clearly, act responsibly, and use every diplomatic channel available to defuse tensions and promote a return to dialogue in West Asia.”
Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a…Read More
Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a… Read More
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