Modi government’s failure to condemn attacks on Iran shows betrayal of India’s civilisational values: Congress

The Congress on Saturday, March 21, 2026, said the Modi government’s failure to condemn the US-Israeli airstrike on Iran and “force a brutal regime change” there reflects “moral cowardice” and “political betrayal” of India’s civilizational values.

Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not use his much-claimed friendship with the US president (Donald Trump) and Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) to broker a ceasefire.

In a statement shared on

He also said it had been 23 days since the Prime Minister returned from a “very noisy” visit to Israel.

“Did the Modi government condemn, criticize or deplore the heavy US and Israeli airstrike on Iran? Has this attack led to serious economic turmoil everywhere, including now in India? The answer is NO.”

“Did the Modi government condemn, criticize or deplore the unabated continued targeted assassinations of senior Iranian leaders by the US and Israel? The answer is NO.

“Has the Modi government condemned, criticized or deplored the brutal efforts of the US and Israel to force a regime change and state collapse that could lead to civil war in Iran? The answer is NO,” the Congress leader said.

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“Has the Modi government made serious diplomatic efforts and initiatives to immediately stop Iran’s bombing and attacks on energy and other basic infrastructures in the Gulf countries? Has the Prime Minister used his much-claimed friendship with the US president and the Israeli Prime Minister to broker a ceasefire? The answer is NO,” he added.

“These 4 NO’s reflect moral cowardice and political betrayal towards India’s civilizational values,” the Congress general secretary said.

Three weeks of fighting showed no sign of abating; Israel said Iran continued firing missiles early on Saturday, while Saudi Arabia said it shot down 20 drones in just a few hours in the eastern part of the country, which hosts major oil facilities.

Iran has also fired on energy fields in Gulf countries and now threatens entertainment and tourist attractions around the world. The United States is deploying more warships and 2,500 more Marines in the third week of its war with Israel.

The death toll rose to over 1,300 in Iran, over 1,000 in Lebanon, 15 in Israel and 13 US military members in the region; Millions of people were displaced in Lebanon and Iran.