New Delhi: The Congress Sunday accused Israel of violating Iran’s sovereignty, stating that the killings of prime Iranian navy generals and nuclear scientists symbolize a harmful escalation with “grave regional and international penalties”.
The principal opposition get together expressed its stance a day after the BJP-led Union authorities distanced itself from a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) assertion that sharply criticised Israeli actions in opposition to Iran.
Iran is a member state of the 11-member SCO.
“The Indian Nationwide Congress unequivocally condemns Israel’s current bombings and focused assassinations on Iranian soil, which symbolize a harmful escalation with grave regional and international penalties. This assault on Iran’s sovereignty and encroachment of its rights, whether or not by way of aerial strikes or covert killings, solely deepens instability and sows the seeds of additional battle,” the Congress stated in an announcement.
“The Congress get together firmly believes that diplomacy, dialogue, and worldwide cooperation, and never violence, are the one professional and sustainable path ahead. Hostilities should stop instantly. Continued navy brinkmanship dangers plunging an already fragile area into wider struggle, with catastrophic human and financial fallout,” it added.
The get together had Saturday questioned the Centre’s transfer to distance itself from the SCO assertion that termed Israel’s “aggressive actions” in Iran, together with focusing on of power and transport infrastructure, “a gross violation of worldwide legislation and the United Nations Constitution”.
In response, the Ministry of Exterior Affairs stated that India didn’t take part within the discussions on the SCO on the assertion. The MEA added that New Delhi has already urged that channels of dialogue and diplomacy be utilised to work in the direction of de-escalation.
“The Exterior Affairs Minister, too, mentioned this matter along with his Iranian counterpart yesterday and conveyed the deep concern of the worldwide neighborhood on the flip of occasions. He additionally urged the avoidance of any escalatory steps and an early return to diplomacy,” acknowledged the MEA.
Congress common secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh stated that the MEA’s assertion steered that India has turn into an “abject apologist” for Israel.
“What does this MEA assertion actually imply? It appears to recommend that Israel can assault Iran however that Iran ought to train restraint and never climb the escalatory ladder. Have we been lowered to being an abject apologist for Israel? We can’t even condemn Israel’s assaults on and focused assassinations in Iran?” Ramesh posted on X on Saturday.
Nevertheless, the get together’s formal assertion issued Sunday had no reference to the SCO concern. Whereas condemning Israeli motion, the Congress additionally acknowledged India’s strategic ties with Israel in current a long time.
“India has long-standing civilisational ties with Iran and, in current a long time, has developed strategic relations with Israel. This distinctive place provides our nation the ethical accountability and the diplomatic leverage to behave as a bridge for de-escalation and peace.
“With lakhs of Indian residents residing and dealing throughout West Asia, peace within the area is an important nationwide curiosity aside from being a geopolitical concern. India should communicate clearly, act responsibly, and use each diplomatic channel out there to defuse tensions and promote a return to dialogue,” it stated.
On Saturday, Congress common secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had known as Israel’s assault on Iran as a violation of its sovereignty and a whole contravention of all worldwide norms.
The get together was additionally extremely vital of India’s abstention from a United Nations Basic Meeting decision demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. It known as the transfer an act of “staggering ethical cowardice”, and requested if the Centre had deserted late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s “principled stand” on Palestine.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
Additionally Learn: Explosions in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem as Iran rains missiles on Israel in response to Op Rising Lion
