New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has strongly criticised the Indian government’s continued silence over Israel’s devastation in Gaza and its recent strikes on Iran, calling it "not just a loss of voice, but also a surrender of values." In a sharply-worded opinion piece titled “It is still not too late for India’s voice to be heard” published in The Hindu, Gandhi accused the Narendra Modi-led government of abandoning India’s historic and principled stance in favour of peace, diplomacy, and a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
She asserted that India’s refusal to speak out against the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the recent escalation against Iran represents a disturbing break from its moral and diplomatic legacy. “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,” Gandhi wrote.
Gandhi emphasised that it is still not too late for India to act responsibly, urging the government to speak clearly, leverage all diplomatic channels, and promote de-escalation and dialogue in West Asia. Criticising the current approach, she said the Modi government has “all but abandoned” India’s long-standing commitment to a peaceful two-state solution, which envisions an independent, sovereign Palestine living alongside Israel in peace and mutual respect.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, she pointed to Israel’s June 13, 2025, strike on Iran, calling it a “deeply troubling and unlawful attack” on Iranian sovereignty and a stark example of the consequences of unilateral militarism. She said the Indian National Congress has condemned these bombings and targeted assassinations on Iranian soil, warning of their grave regional and global consequences.
Gandhi lambasted Israel's actions in Gaza as brutal and disproportionate, carried out with disregard for civilian lives and regional stability. “These actions will only deepen instability and sow the seeds of further conflict,” she noted. She accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of undermining peace and nurturing extremism, stating that his record made the choice of military escalation over engagement unsurprising.
Turning her criticism to US President Donald Trump, Gandhi condemned his June 17 statement dismissing his own intelligence chief’s assessment and claiming that Iran was “very close” to acquiring nuclear weapons. She described it as “deeply disappointing,” adding that “the world expects and needs leadership that is grounded in facts and driven by diplomacy, and not by force or falsehoods.”
Gandhi reminded readers of Iran’s historic friendship with India, noting its support at critical moments, including in Jammu and Kashmir. She referenced Iran’s role in 1994 at the UN Commission on Human Rights, where it helped block a resolution critical of India on Kashmir. She contrasted this with the stance of pre-revolutionary Iran, which had sided with Pakistan during the wars of 1965 and 1971.
Reflecting on India’s deepening ties with Israel, Gandhi said this strategic position comes with a moral responsibility and diplomatic leverage to act as a peace broker. She emphasised that this is not merely a theoretical stance but a practical necessity, as lakhs of Indians live and work in the West Asia region, making peace there a matter of vital national interest.
Gandhi also criticised the atmosphere of impunity with which Israel has acted, enabled by near-unconditional support from powerful Western nations. While reiterating the Congress party’s unequivocal condemnation of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, which she described as “absolutely horrific and totally unacceptable,” she asserted that this cannot justify Israel’s catastrophic and disproportionate military campaign.
“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,” Gandhi wrote.
She concluded by calling for India to reclaim its voice and values by actively promoting peace, dialogue, and diplomacy in West Asia.
With PTI inputs