Sonia Gandhi slams PM Modi for “silence” on Palestine, calling it an abdication of humanity and morality. She urges India to reclaim its historic role as a voice for justice.

New Delhi: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing his government of maintaining “profound silence” on the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. In her article published in The Hindu, Gandhi argued that India, once a global advocate for oppressed nations, has now “abandoned its moral compass.”

She claimed that the government’s stance appears shaped more by PM Modi’s personal friendship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu than by India’s constitutional principles or long-held diplomatic traditions. Gandhi warned that “personalised diplomacy” cannot dictate foreign policy, stressing that India’s international reputation demands consistency and courage.

Highlighting global developments, Gandhi pointed out that countries such as France, Canada, and Australia have already recognised Palestinian statehood, while over 150 UN members have extended support. India, she reminded, had recognised Palestine as early as 1988 but today remains “conspicuously muted.”

The Congress leader described the Israeli response to Hamas’ October 2023 attacks as “genocidal,” noting the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians, including children, and the destruction of Gaza’s essential infrastructure. She said Palestinians are now facing famine-like conditions while aid is deliberately obstructed.

Calling silence “complicity,” Gandhi criticised India for simultaneously signing trade deals with Israel even as the international community condemns its far-right leadership. She urged New Delhi to treat the Palestine issue not just as foreign policy but as a moral obligation rooted in India’s history of anti-colonial struggle.

Analysis

Sonia Gandhi’s remarks reflect growing frustration among opposition parties who believe India has abandoned its role as a moral leader on the global stage. Her call may resonate domestically with voters who see foreign policy as an extension of India’s ethical traditions. However, whether this criticism translates into a shift in government policy remains uncertain.