Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
Credit: PTI File Photo
New Delhi: Congress on Sunday "unequivocally" condemned Israel's "recent bombings and targeted assassinations" in Iran, saying it represents a "dangerous escalation" and "deepens instability" sowing the seeds of further conflict.
In a statement, it said India "must speak clearly, act responsibly, and use every diplomatic channel" available to "defuse tensions and promote a return to dialogue".
The party firmly believes that diplomacy, dialogue, and international cooperation, and not violence, are the only legitimate and sustainable path forward. Hostilities must cease immediately, it said.
"Continued military brinkmanship risks plunging an already fragile region into wider war, with catastrophic human and economic fallout," Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh posted on X.
Recalling that India has "long-standing civilisational ties" with Iran and has developed strategic relations with Israel in recent decades, he said this "unique position" gives our country the "moral responsibility and the diplomatic leverage" to act as a bridge for de-escalation and peace.
The Congress "unequivocally condemns Israel’s recent bombings and targeted assassinations on Iranian soil, which represent a dangerous escalation with grave regional and global consequences", the party warned.
"This attack on Iran’s sovereignty and encroachment of its rights, whether through aerial strikes or covert killings, only deepens instability and sows the seeds of further conflict," the statement said.
It also said with lakhs of Indian citizens living and working across West Asia, peace in the region is a vital national interest apart from being a geopolitical concern.
Congress, on Saturday, attacked the Modi government for abstaining from voting during the UN General Assembly resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, accusing it of leaving India's foreign policy in "shambles".
India also distanced itself from the SCO statement condemning the Israeli attack on Iran and said it did not participate in the discussions on the statement.
Congress then said India's position on the SCO statement seems to suggest that Israel can attack Iran but that Iran should exercise restraint and not climb the escalatory ladder. "Have we been reduced to being an abject apologist for Israel? We cannot even condemn Israel's attacks on and targeted assassinations in Iran?" Ramesh asked on Saturday.