Opposition demands Centre to condemn attacks on Iran, protect lives of Indians in West Asia

Opposition parties have expressed concern over the attacks on Iran and asked the Union government to take immediate measures to protect Indian citizens in West Asia.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the rapidly escalating hostilities between United States-Israel and Iran are deeply concerning. “The safety and security of every Indian citizen across the Middle East must be our highest priority. I urge the Government of India to take immediate and proactive measures to safeguard our people,” he said.

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Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said peace and stability in the region are paramount and must be preserved. “We are equally concerned about the safety and security of Indians in Iran and across the Middle East. We urge the Government of India to take all possible measures to ensure their protection and well-being,” Mr. Kharge said.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said for weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump maintained the charade of diplomacy and negotiations with Iran.

“Egged on by the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and hawks in the U.S., he has launched a military offensive aimed at achieving regime change. The INC condemns this attack and calls upon the Government of India to help bring the hostilities to an immediate end,” Mr. Ramesh said.

Senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that a significant number of Indians – including many from Kerala – are residing and working in the region. “Immediate steps must also be taken to facilitate safe passage and evacuation of our citizens most at risk, and those who wish to return home,” Mr. Venugopal said.

The Left parties too criticised the attacks. The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) said U.S. and Israel carried out the attacks ignoring the ongoing negotiations with Iran.

‘Belligerent bully’

“The US is acting as a belligerent bully, attacking sovereign countries at will,” the CPI(M) said, adding that the attack on Iran comes immediately after Indian Prime Minister Modi concluded his visit to Israel.

“The Government of India should unequivocally condemn the attacks on its friendly country Iran and demand the immediate cessation of hostilities,” the party said.

The CPI said such reckless military adventurism threatens to further destabilise the entire West Asian region, pushing it towards a wider and more destructive conflict.

“The CPI firmly believes that these attacks are part of a dangerous strategy aimed at imposing regime change in Iran through military force, in complete disregard of the sovereignty of nations and the right of peoples to determine their own political future,” the CPI said and urged the Union government to categorically condemn these attacks.

“India must not, in any form, be complicit in or supportive of actions that violate international law and endanger regional and global peace,” the CPI statement added.

All India Forward Bloc general secretary G. Devarajan said the unprovoked escalation comes immediately after Mr. Modi’s visit to Israel, “raising serious questions about the broader geopolitical dynamics at play”.

“The timing of the attacks, therefore, severely undermines all such diplomatic efforts and suggests a preference for military action over peaceful dialogue,” Mr. Devarajan said.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said Mr. Modi should tell the country whether Mr. Netanyahu had informed him that Israel was going to attack Iran. “If he had, then the Prime Minister should have immediately ended his visit and returned to the country,” he added.