Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday issued a sharp statement criticising the Indian government’s stance amid the escalating conflict in West Asia, linking recent geopolitical developments to what he described as a broader and troubling regional strategy by Israel.
Marking what he called the “28th day of the US-Israel aerial bombings of Iran and Iran’s counter-offensive,” Ramesh said global attention has remained narrowly focused on strategic flashpoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and energy infrastructure in Gulf nations, while other developments have unfolded with far less scrutiny.
“In the past four weeks, while the world’s gaze has been on the Strait of Hormuz and energy infrastructure in the Gulf countries, Israel has continued its brutalities on the people of Gaza, begun operations to create a large buffer zone for itself in southern Lebanon, and taken decisive steps to convert its annexation of the West Bank to firm occupation,” he said.
Ramesh alleged that the ongoing war is being used as a strategic distraction. “The current West Asia war is providing cover for Israel to move ahead on its vision of Greater Israel and also finishing off any hope for a Palestinian state,” he stated.
The Congress leader also drew attention to the timing of recent diplomatic engagements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that critical developments were overlooked. According to Ramesh, “The US-Israel bombardment of Iran began just two days after Mr. Modi left Israel.”
He further claimed that shortly before Modi’s visit, the Israeli cabinet had taken a significant decision regarding land in the occupied West Bank. “What is not realised is that just a few days before he arrived there, the Israeli cabinet had approved land registration in roughly half of the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967. This would lead to the dispossession of lakhs of Palestinians,” Ramesh said.
In a direct criticism of the Prime Minister, he added, “But Mr. Modi does not have the courage to raise his voice and speak truth to his good friend Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Ramesh’s remarks come at a time when tensions across West Asia remain high, with multiple theatres of conflict raising concerns about wider regional instability and humanitarian consequences.
