Indian reactions to Modi & Israel

'We should not support a country committing genocide'. 

• Sonia Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson: 

“When the targeted killing of a foreign leader draws no clear defence of sovereignty or international law from our country, and impartiality is abandoned, it raises serious doubts about the direction and credibility of our foreign policy. Silence, in this instance, is not neutral.”

• Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha:

“PM [Narendra] Modi must speak up. Does he support the assassination of a head of state as a way to define the world order? Silence now diminishes India’s standing in the world. India must be morally clear. We should have the courage to speak plainly in defense of international law and human lives. Our foreign policy is rooted in sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of disputes –and it must remain consistent.”

• M. A. Baby, general secretary, Communist Party of India: 

“While we have differences with certain non-democratic measures adopted by the Iranian government, the murder of their Supreme Leader and other top officials by the Imperialist United States and Zionist Israel in violation of Iran’s national sovereignty and international law is utterly reprehensible and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. When world peace is under threat, India should play a lead role in rallying all democratic voices together so that there is a cessation of violent attacks and countermeasures.”

• Dr Zakir Hussain, foreign policy expert:

“This will not stop with this. It will also lead to Pakistan. Turkey will also come into this. The larger plan (of the US) is to control the region and hand over the leadership of the region to Israel.”

• Omair Anas, an international relations expert with a focus on the Middle East:

“The impact of this conflict will reflect on energy prices. If this conflict [becomes] prolonged, there will be a crisis in energy supply as well as prices. So its impact is going to be [felt] on India.”