Congress divided over government's stand on West Asia war

As tensions escalate in West Asia, India's policy of calibrated neutrality has triggered a political divide within the Congress party. Senior Congress MP Manish Tewari openly backed the government's stance, stating that the West Asia conflict is not India's war and New Delhi is right to remain cautious given its limited stakes and larger strategic interests. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also defended India's silence, insisting that restraint should not be seen as an endorsement and that maintaining ties with multiple players in a volatile region requires diplomatic balance. However, these views sharply contrast with attacks from other Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, who have criticised India's approach. Critics within the party have called India's silence 'condemnable' and 'shameful', questioning the country's morality and accusing the government of strategic failure in the region.