Sonia Gandhi Questions Centre’s Silence on Khamenei Killing, Calls It ‘Abdication’
New Delhi, March 2 (TheTrendingPeople): Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has strongly criticised the Central government for what she described as its “silence” on the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during joint US-Israel airstrikes.
In an op-ed titled “Government's silence on killing of Iran leader is not neutral, it is abdication” published in The Indian Express, Gandhi argued that the killing of a sitting head of state during ongoing negotiations marks a grave rupture in international relations.
‘Silence Is Not Neutral’
Gandhi said the Government of India has refrained from condemning what she termed a violation of Iranian sovereignty. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on the West Asia crisis, she claimed that his initial response focused only on condemning Iran’s retaliatory strike on the UAE without addressing the sequence of events that preceded it.
She emphasised that Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. According to Gandhi, a targeted killing of a serving head of state strikes at the heart of these principles.
“When the targeted killing of a foreign leader draws no clear defence of sovereignty or international law from our country, it raises serious doubts about the direction and credibility of our foreign policy,” she wrote.
Recalling Historical Ties with Iran
The Congress leader also recalled Iran’s diplomatic support for India in 1994 when the Kashmir issue was raised at the UN Commission on Human Rights. She highlighted Tehran’s role in enabling India’s diplomatic presence in Zahedan near the Pakistan border, describing it as strategically significant amid regional developments linked to Gwadar port and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Gandhi referenced former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 2001 visit to Tehran, during which deep bilateral ties were reaffirmed.
Strategic and Diplomatic Implications
While acknowledging India’s expanding ties with Israel across defence, agriculture and technology, Gandhi argued that India’s diplomatic strength lies in maintaining balanced relations with both Tehran and Tel Aviv. She cautioned that credibility depends on speaking from principle rather than expediency.
She also raised concerns about Indian citizens residing in Gulf nations amid escalating tensions, stating that India’s ability to safeguard its diaspora depends on its image as an independent actor.
Our Final Thoughts
Sonia Gandhi’s remarks add a significant political dimension to India’s response to the unfolding West Asia crisis. As geopolitical tensions intensify, calls for clarity in India’s diplomatic positioning are likely to grow.
The debate underscores broader questions about sovereignty, international law and India’s evolving global role. Whether the government responds with a more explicit articulation of its stance remains to be seen.