Sonia Gandhi Slams Centre’s Silence On Israel-Iran Conflict: 'History Reminds Us That...'

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has criticised India's silence over the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, calling it not only a diplomatic failure but also a break from India's "moral and strategic traditions".

Writing in an Op-Ed for The Hindu, Gandhi condemned Israel's 13 June military strike on Iranian soil, describing it as "illegal and a violation of sovereignty".

Photo Credit: PTI

The airstrikes have since provoked a dangerous cycle of retaliatory drone and missile attacks between the two powers, significantly raising tensions across the Middle East.

"The Indian National Congress has condemned these bombings and 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," Gandhi wrote.

Israel's military operation, which targeted key Iranian military assets and infrastructure, took place at a sensitive juncture-just as Iran and the United States had begun to show signs of diplomatic progress.

Five rounds of nuclear talks had already been completed in 2025, with a sixth round reportedly due to take place later this month.

"History reminds us that Mr Netanyahu helped fan the flames of hatred that culminated in the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, ending one of the most hopeful peace initiatives between Israelis and Palestinians," the Congress leader wrote.

Gandhi also turned her attention to US President Donald Trump, accusing him of dismissing the assessments of his own intelligence agencies in favour of a more confrontational stance.

"Mr Trump has previously warned against endless wars and the power of the military-industrial complex. Yet he now appears to be repeating the same mistakes that led to the war in Iraq," she wrote, referring to the controversial 2003 invasion based on claims of Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction.

In her article, Gandhi highlighted India's distinctive diplomatic position, given its longstanding relations with both Israel and Iran. While ties with Israel have deepened across defence, trade and intelligence in recent years, India also shares civilisational and strategic bonds with Tehran.

"Iran has been a long-standing friend to India and is bound to us by deep civilisational ties. It has a history of steadfast support, including in Jammu and Kashmir at crucial junctures. In 1994, Iran helped block a resolution critical of India at the UN Commission on Human Rights on the Kashmir issue. Indeed, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been much more cooperative with India than its predecessor, the Imperial State of Iran, that had tilted towards Pakistan in the 1965 and 1971 wars," she wrote.

She also pointed to the collapse of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018, a decision she said severely impacted India's economic interests-particularly in relation to 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 wrote.

Gandhi ended her piece with a call to the Indian government to take a more active diplomatic role in the region. She urged the Centre to "speak clearly, act responsibly, and use every diplomatic channel available to defuse tensions and promote a return to dialogue in West Asia."

"In the face of this humanitarian catastrophe, the Narendra Modi government has all but abandoned India's long-standing and principled commitment to a peaceful two-state solution, one that envisions a sovereign, independent Palestine living side-by-side with Israel in mutual security and dignity," she wrote.

"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."

"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," she reiterated.

Gandhi's remarks came just hours after senior Iranian diplomat Mohammad Javad Hosseini, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, called on India and other nations to denounce what Tehran terms as Israeli "military aggression".

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Hosseini stated that Israel's actions amounted to a "breach of international law" and warned of potential consequences throughout the region.

"We believe every country including India should condemn it-not because of their relations with Iran but because these actions are in breach of global norms," he said.