The Congress criticised the Modi government for maintaining what it described as a “stoic silence” amid escalating conflict in West Asia and killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, March 2, 2026 — Even as the Government of India remains largely silent on the killing of Ali Khamenei — Iran’s Supreme Leader — opposition parties in India, led by the Indian National Congress (INC), have issued strong condemnations and called for a clearer national stance on the escalating US–Israel military offensive in West Asia.
In a forceful statement, the Congress described the targeted killing of Khamenei — carried out without a formal declaration of war — as an “immoral and unlawful act” and extended condolences to the people of Iran and the global Shia community. Party leaders emphasised India’s longstanding commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and respect for international law.
The Indian National Congress (INC) unequivocally condemns the targeted assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, in a military strike carried out without a formal declaration of war. The INC extends its deepest condolences to the Supreme Leader’s family, to… pic.twitter.com/CSQAbds3tS
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 1, 2026
“The targeted assassination of the leadership of a sovereign nation by the so-called leaders of the democratic world deserves unequivocal condemnation,” said senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in a post on X, citing Mahatma Gandhi’s adage that “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” She urged the government to prioritise the safety of Indian citizens in the Middle East amid growing hostilities.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticised the government’s muted response as a betrayal of India’s values and principles, saying the foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears inconsistent and exposed in the face of global violence
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Other opposition figures echoed the sentiment. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi also condemned the assassination as an “immoral and unlawful act,” warning that continued attacks risk destabilising the entire region and urged immediate cessation of hostilities.
The political backlash follows broader unease among opposition parties over the Prime Minister’s recent diplomatic engagements, including a controversial visit to Israel just days before the US–Israel strikes, which critics say signalled tacit support for military action that has now inflamed tensions across the Middle East.
As protests and debates intensify within India, the government’s official position has focused on advocating respect for sovereignty and the safety of Indian nationals abroad, avoiding direct condemnation of the strikes while calling for restraint from all parties involved in the conflict.
This remains a developing story. More updates are expected as political and diplomatic responses continue to unfold.
