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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has criticised the Modi government over its response to the West Asia crisis, accusing it of compromising India’s strategic interests and failing to protect Indian citizens and maritime security.
Kharge described the government’s approach as a “reckless abdication” of national interests
New Delhi: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the government of neglecting India’s strategic interests amid the escalating crisis in West Asia.
In a detailed post on X, Kharge described the government’s approach as a “reckless abdication” of national interests and alleged that India’s foreign policy stance had weakened during the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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Kharge also referred to the recent sinking of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean Region. The warship had earlier participated in the International Fleet Review hosted by the Indian Navy.
Modi Govt’s reckless abdication of India’s strategic & national interests is there for all to see.
1. An Iranian ship, a guest of India was returning, unarmed from the International Fleet Review 2026, hosted by us, and was torpedoed in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
No…
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 5, 2026
According to Kharge, the vessel was returning unarmed after attending the event when it was reportedly struck by a torpedo. He criticised the government for not issuing a strong reaction to the incident, saying India should have expressed concern over the development.
The Congress leader also raised alarm over the safety of Indian sailors and commercial vessels in the Gulf of Hormuz, a key maritime trade route.
Kharge claimed that around 38 Indian-flagged commercial ships and nearly 1,100 sailors were currently stranded in the region amid the escalating conflict. He further mentioned reports suggesting that two Indian sailors, including Captain Ashish Kumar, had died during the crisis.
He questioned why the government had not launched a large-scale maritime rescue or relief operation to assist Indian nationals.
Kharge also highlighted concerns about India’s energy security. With tensions rising in the Gulf, he warned that disruptions in oil supply routes could significantly impact India’s energy imports.
He noted that global oil prices were already rising and questioned the government’s contingency plans to ensure stable crude supply for the country.
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The Congress chief pointed out that nearly one crore Indians live and work in Gulf countries and emphasised the need for a clear evacuation strategy if the conflict intensifies.
Kharge urged the government to prioritise the safety of Indian citizens abroad and provide transparent communication about the steps being taken.
The criticism from the opposition comes at a time when tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States continue to raise concerns about regional stability and global energy supply.
