Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has authored seven opinion pieces over the past two years, with three of them centred on Gaza and Iran — a pattern that has ignited a fresh political debate in New Delhi over her foreign policy priorities and the intent behind her sustained criticism of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. The recurring focus on West Asia has prompted government sources and political observers to question whether the scrutiny reflects a genuine concern over India's diplomatic posture or a calculated appeal to domestic constituencies.

Gandhi's Charge and the Government's Rebuttal

In her latest op-ed, Gandhi accuses the Centre of maintaining 'silence' on Gaza and argues that India is drifting from its traditional foreign policy commitments. She describes the government's conduct as an 'abdication' of India's moral and diplomatic responsibilities in the region.

Government sources, however, firmly reject this characterisation. Officials point to New Delhi's repeated public support for a two-state solution, its humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, and its consistent advocacy for dialogue and de-escalation — positions maintained even while sustaining strong strategic ties with Israel.

Iran's Acknowledgement of India's Role

Government sources further note that India's diplomatic engagement has drawn international recognition. Earlier this year, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly described India as a 'trusted friend' during a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, thanking him for New Delhi's consistent push for dialogue and de-escalation amid heightened regional tensions. The Iranian Embassy in India also publicly commended India's humanitarian assistance and what it called a 'balanced diplomatic approach.'

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders argue that this record directly contradicts Gandhi's framing. India has, they contend, neither abandoned Palestine nor uncritically aligned itself with Israel — instead maintaining a calibrated position that weighs humanitarian concerns, regional stability, energy security, and national interest.

The Pattern That Has Raised Questions

The concentration of Gandhi's writing on West Asia — three of seven op-eds over two years — has prompted government sources to raise what they describe as a legitimate political question: why do these issues attract repeated attention while humanitarian crises closer to India's immediate strategic neighbourhood receive comparatively little coverage in her writing?

Political analysts argue that Gandhi's repeated criticism over Gaza is calibrated to resonate with sections of Muslim voters ahead of future elections, rather than to advance a substantive foreign policy debate. They suggest the Congress leadership may be attempting to read India's external affairs through a domestic political lens.

Selective Outrage, Critics Say

Political observers have noted an apparent asymmetry in Gandhi's public interventions. They point out that she has not been equally vocal — at least not in op-ed form — on issues such as the reported persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, the exodus of Afghan Sikhs following the Taliban's return to power, or the displacement of Kashmiri Hindus.

BJP leaders argue this 'selective' emphasis reflects political priorities rather than a consistent human rights perspective. Analysts add that a credible foreign policy critique would engage with the full spectrum of India's neighbourhood concerns, not a subset that aligns with particular electoral calculations.

As Gandhi's next op-ed is awaited, the debate over the line between principled dissent and political positioning in Indian foreign policy commentary looks set to sharpen further.