Congress Slams Govt Silence on Khamenei Killing as ‘Abdication’

March 4, 2026

New Delhi — Senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday sharply criticized the Government of India for its lack of a clear response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying the silence was “not neutral but an abdication of responsibility” and called on the government to clarify its stance on the incident.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel reportedly led to Khamenei’s death a development confirmed by Iranian authorities on March 1 and followed by retaliatory attacks by Tehran.

Sonia Gandhi: Silence Isn’t Neutral, It’s Abdication

In a detailed opinion piece published in a national daily, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi argued that the government’s muted response to the assassination of a sitting head of state amounts to a failure of moral clarity and foreign policy direction.

Sonia Gandhi wrote that India’s silence on the incident “signals tacit endorsement” of events that violated sovereignty and international law, particularly Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the political independence of any state.

She noted that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned Iran’s retaliatory strike on the UAE, he had not addressed the series of attacks that preceded it, calling for a principled stand that defended international norms rather than diplomatic expediency.

Sonia Gandhi also pointed out that India’s foreign policy credibility could be undermined if it refrains from expressing a clear position when “the rules-based global order is under visible strain.” She drew comparisons with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s reaffirmation of ties with Tehran in 2001 to argue that historical diplomatic depth should inform today’s responses.

Rahul Gandhi Urges Clear Indian Position

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi echoed Sonia Gandhi’s concerns. Posting on social media platform X, he said that silence from the government “diminishes India’s standing in the world” and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clearly articulate whether India supports or condemns the targeted assassination of a foreign head of state.

Rahul Gandhi insisted that India must be “morally clear” on the unfolding crisis, stressing that both the unilateral attack on Iran and the Iranian response deserve condemnation under international law. He warned that without clarity, India’s perceived neutrality could amount to a tacit acceptance of the violence, with implications for millions of Indians living and working in the Middle East.

Foreign Policy Debate Intensifies in Parliament

The opposition leaders also demanded that the government’s “disturbing silence” be aired and debated in Parliament during the ongoing Budget session, arguing that such a significant geopolitical event warrants democratic scrutiny.

Many analysts say that India’s traditional diplomatic posture has been one of cautious engagement balancing ties with both Western and Middle Eastern nations but the unprecedented nature of Khamenei’s killing has amplified political friction at home over how New Delhi should respond.

Wider Geopolitical Context

The reported assassination occurred in synchronized military actions by the United States and Israel in late February, resulting in strikes on military and infrastructure targets in Iran’s major cities. Iran’s confirmed retaliatory attacks on US and allied positions have further escalated tensions in the already volatile region, prompting global concerns.

With many nations of the Global South, including members of BRICS, choosing to distance themselves from the violence, Congress leaders argue that a clear Indian stand rooted in respect for sovereignty, peaceful resolution and international law would reinforce India’s diplomatic credibility on the world stage.