US-Iran ceasefire: Congress urges Centre to consult opposition on a unified national approach

The Congress has welcomed the United States-Iran ceasefire as a step towards de-escalation and renewed diplomacy in West Asia. In a Congress Working Committee resolution, it urged the BJP-led Centre to take the opposition into confidence and adopt a unified national approach. The party also cited international law norms and key treaties.

The Congress said on Friday that the BJP-led Centre should consult the opposition. The party asked for a unified national approach on foreign policy. Congress also welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Congress called it a key step for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy. Congress said the aim should be lasting peace in West Asia.

In a resolution adopted at a Congress Working Committee meeting at Indira Bhawan, the party criticised violence. Congress said targeted killings of heads of state were unacceptable. Congress also condemned attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Congress said wars that break international law were crimes. The party linked these acts to harm against humanity.

Congress urges unified national approach for India foreign policy

Congress said any settlement must rest on key global agreements. These include the Geneva Conventions and the UN Charter. It also cited the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Congress referred to the Paris Agreement as well. The resolution stressed UN Charter limits on force. It also pointed to peaceful dispute settlement clauses.

The resolution said the pause in conflict offered time to measure India’s costs. Congress said India’s energy security had suffered in recent years. It added that ties across the extended strategic neighbourhood were strained. Congress also said India’s role in the Indian Ocean Region weakened. The party said moral leadership within the Global South eroded.

Congress urges unified national approach amid India Pakistan concerns

Congress criticised the BJP government’s foreign policy direction in the resolution. It said this approach had alienated India from neighbours. It also said it weakened long efforts to isolate Pakistan. Congress claimed India ceded strategic and diplomatic space. The party said this allowed Pakistan to improve its global image. It also cited cross-border terrorism affecting India, Afghanistan and Iran.

Congress said government failures let Pakistan claim a central role in Asian power rivalry. The resolution said this could increase Islamabad’s leverage. It warned of pressure on New Delhi through third parties. Congress said this would internationalise India-Pakistan issues. The party linked this risk to broader regional instability and security concerns.

Congress urges unified national approach citing Constitution and past diplomacy

Congress said India’s foreign policy tradition was shaped after 1947. It cited Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Mahatma Gandhi’s Ahimsa. It also mentioned Jawaharlal Nehru’s non-alignment. Congress said this outlook was reflected in Article 51 of the Constitution. The article calls for respect for international law and treaty duties.

The resolution listed past Indian diplomatic actions to support its argument. It cited opposition to apartheid in South Africa. It also mentioned the Korean War role through the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission. Congress referred to support for anti-colonial movements in Asia and Africa. It also listed efforts on conflicts in Hungary, Egypt, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Congress flagged political risks in recent diplomacy. It said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel ahead of the war created a perception. Congress said it seemed like political support for escalation. It also linked it to an incumbent far-right government before an election. Congress said such steps blur ties between states and party politics.

The resolution said India faced a wide and serious set of crises. Congress urged the BJP government to avoid mixing national interest with electoral aims. It also criticised ignoring advice from India’s foreign policy establishment. Congress repeated its demand for consultation with the opposition. The party said India should restore its role as a credible voice for peace.

With inputs from PTI