In an op-ed, Sonia Gandhi criticises the Modi government for not condemning Ayatollah Khamenei’s killing, saying India’s global credibility is at stake.

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has criticised the Union government for what she described as a lack of clear condemnation following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28, 2026.

Writing in an opinion piece in The Indian Express, Gandhi argued that New Delhi’s silence risks weakening India’s standing among nations of the Global South. She pointed to India’s longstanding diplomatic ties with Iran, including Tehran’s support to India at the United Nations in 1994 on the Kashmir issue, as evidence of a historically significant relationship that warrants a firm response.

Gandhi called for a detailed discussion in Parliament on India’s position, stating that foreign policy decisions of such magnitude should not remain confined to executive discretion alone. Her article was subsequently shared by Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, amplifying the party’s demand for clarity.

The government, however, has maintained a cautious approach. Officials have reportedly emphasised the need for restraint, citing concerns related to the safety of Indian citizens in the region and the country’s energy security, particularly oil imports.

The BJP has dismissed the criticism as politically motivated, framing it as part of a broader partisan clash over foreign policy. The episode reflects how international developments are increasingly feeding into domestic political debate. For India, balancing strategic interests with diplomatic messaging remains a delicate task, especially in volatile geopolitical moments.