Congress Divided on West Asia Conflict as Tewari, Tharoor Support Govt’s Strategic Stand

A fresh divide has emerged within the Congress party over India’s response to the escalating West Asia conflict, with senior leaders Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor expressing support for the government’s measured approach, even as the party leadership intensifies its criticism.

Congress MP Manish Tewari defended the Centre’s stance, stating that the situation in West Asia involves multiple overlapping conflicts and requires a cautious response. He emphasised that India is not a central player in the region and must act with restraint.

Highlighting the complexity of the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, Tewari remarked that maintaining a careful and balanced position aligns with India’s principle of strategic autonomy.

Echoing similar sentiments, Shashi Tharoor described the government’s handling of the crisis as “responsible statecraft.” In his remarks, he noted that while the situation raises concerns under international law, India’s restrained response reflects a pragmatic assessment of national interest rather than a moral compromise.

Tharoor also cautioned against interpreting silence as endorsement of military action, arguing that excessive rhetoric could undermine strategic clarity.

However, these views contrast sharply with the position taken by the Congress leadership. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Rahul Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh, and Pawan Khera, have questioned the government’s response, particularly regarding Israeli military operations and reported targeted actions in Iran.

Rahul Gandhi has called for a clearer stance opposing unilateral military actions, while other leaders have warned that India’s silence could weaken its traditional foreign policy principles.

Since the escalation began, India has consistently advocated for dialogue and diplomacy while condemning violent actions across the region. At the same time, New Delhi has maintained active engagement with Iran to secure energy supplies through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

This is not the first instance of internal disagreement within the Congress on foreign policy matters. Similar divisions were seen during previous diplomatic developments, reflecting ongoing tensions between political positioning and strategic considerations.

As the West Asia conflict enters its third week following the February 28 strikes by the United States and Israel and Iran’s retaliation, the differing views within the Congress underline the broader challenge of balancing domestic politics with international strategy.