Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify India’s position on the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint United States-Israeli military operation on March 1.
Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said in a social media post that escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran were “pushing a fragile region towards wider conflict” and creating uncertainty for millions of people, including Indians living and working in West Asia.
“While security concerns are real, attacks that violate sovereignty will only worsen the crisis,” Gandhi said, adding that unilateral strikes on Iran, as well as Iran’s retaliatory actions against other countries in the region, should be condemned.
“India must be morally clear,” he said. “We should have the courage to speak plainly in defence of international law and human lives.”
Gandhi said India’s silence could diminish its global standing and asked whether New Delhi supported “the assassination of a head of state as a way to define the world order.”
In a separate opinion article published on Monday in The Indian Express, Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi criticised the government’s response, describing it as an abdication rather than neutrality.
She wrote that the killing of a sitting head of state during an ongoing diplomatic process marked “a grave rupture in contemporary international relations” and said New Delhi’s silence stood out.
Sonia Gandhi also referred to Modi’s initial remarks condemning Iran’s retaliatory strike on the United Arab Emirates without addressing preceding events, and his subsequent call for dialogue and diplomacy. She said talks had already been underway before what she described as “massive unprovoked attacks”.
The conflict escalated on Saturday after Israel and the United States launched a joint operation targeting Iran’s leadership, alleging that Tehran posed an existential threat to Israel. Israel has repeatedly said Iran is close to acquiring a nuclear weapon, a claim Tehran denies, maintaining that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes.
Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, wielded authority over the country’s government and armed forces. His killing has further heightened tensions in West Asia.
New Delhi has not issued a formal statement following Khamenei’s death.
On Sunday, Modi said he had spoken to United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, offering condolences for deaths reported in the UAE and thanking him for ensuring the safety of the Indian community there. He reiterated India’s support for de-escalation, regional peace and stability.
On Monday, Modi said he had held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the situation in West Asia, conveying India’s concerns and emphasising civilian safety as a priority. He reiterated the need for an early cessation of hostilities.