Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday mounted a sharp attack on the Centre’s foreign policy, alleging that it is “compromised” and accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to act independently in India’s national interest.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament shortly after Modi’s address in the Rajya Sabha on the ongoing West Asia conflict, Gandhi said, “India’s foreign policy is compromised today because Prime Minister Modi himself is compromised.”
Stepping up his criticism, he alleged that the Prime Minister was acting under external influence. “Modi only does what the United States and Israel want him to do,” he said, adding, “Modi can never make decisions in India’s interest — and this is clearly visible.”
The remarks came against the backdrop of the government outlining its position on the escalating conflict in West Asia, now in its fourth week, which has sparked global concerns over energy supplies, disrupted trade routes and raised alarms over the safety of expatriates.
In his address earlier in the day, Modi highlighted India’s diplomatic outreach and efforts to safeguard national interests, including ensuring energy security and evacuating Indian nationals from affected regions. The government has said it is in touch with key stakeholders such as Iran, Israel and the United States to push for de-escalation and maintain stability in critical maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.
It has also pointed to measures such as diversifying energy imports and building strategic reserves to mitigate the impact of supply disruptions caused by the conflict.
The Congress party, however, has consistently questioned the government’s handling of foreign policy, especially during periods of geopolitical tension, accusing it of weakening India’s traditional strategic autonomy. Gandhi’s latest remarks reflect a continuation of that criticism, as the opposition intensifies its attack on the government’s response to the evolving crisis.
The exchange underscores the growing political divide over India’s foreign policy approach at a time when the West Asia conflict has heightened global uncertainty, affecting shipping lanes and energy markets worldwide. While the government maintains that its actions are guided by national interest and a commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, the opposition’s comments highlight the increasingly contentious domestic debate surrounding India’s international engagements.