Modi Government's Silence on Khamenei Assassination Sparks Criticism

On February 28, 2026, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, was assassinated in a series of joint missile strikes by the United States and Israel around Tehran. His death, confirmed by the Iranian government on March 1, 2026, sent shockwaves across the globe, escalating tensions in the Middle East and prompting widespread international reactions. In the wake of this monumental geopolitical event, the Modi government in India has come under significant scrutiny and criticism from opposition parties for its conspicuous silence and apparent reluctance to condemn the assassination or the US-Israeli strikes. Instead of direct condemnation, New Delhi's official statements have largely focused on calls for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy in the West Asia region, expressing 'deep concern' over the situation. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, in a strongly worded opinion piece published in The Indian Express on March 3, 2026, asserted that the government's silence on the targeted killing of a sitting head of state is not neutrality but an 'abdication' of its responsibilities. She argued that such inaction raises serious doubts about the direction and credibility of India's foreign policy and its commitment to international law and sovereignty. Gandhi highlighted that the assassination, carried out 'without a formal declaration of war and during an ongoing diplomatic process,' marks a 'grave rupture in contemporary international relations.' Other opposition parties, including the Left parties and AIMIM, echoed these sentiments, condemning the US-Israeli actions and questioning the Modi government's 'pro-imperialist foreign policy' and its 'betrayal' of India's traditional values and principles. They emphasized India's historical stance against the violation of territorial sovereignty and unilateral actions. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed condolences to the Iranian people and the Shia community globally, stating that no external power has the authority to engineer regime change and such actions amount to imperialism. Several geopolitical factors are believed to be influencing India's cautious diplomatic posture. Analysts suggest that India's growing strategic alignment with the United States and Israel, particularly in defense and technology, plays a significant role. Prime Minister Modi's recent visits to Israel have been interpreted by some as firmly planting India in the US-Israeli camp, a departure from India's historical non-aligned position. Furthermore, India's ties with Iran have seen a complex trajectory, marked by tightening US sanctions which led to a sharp reduction in Iranian oil imports by India. Past critical statements by Ayatollah Khamenei regarding India's internal affairs, such as its Kashmir policy, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and the Delhi riots in 2020, had also strained diplomatic relations and prompted protests from New Delhi. India's desire not to upset its crucial relationships with Gulf countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where Iran has been involved in proxy conflicts, is another factor contributing to its calibrated silence. The assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei has not only ignited a heated debate within India about its foreign policy but also brought to the forefront the challenges of balancing long-standing diplomatic traditions with evolving strategic interests in a rapidly changing global order. The event is widely seen as a significant escalation that could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and international law.

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