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Informist, Thursday, Mar. 5, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – The Congress Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence and inaction after an Iranian vessel was sunk in "India's own backyard" in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday. The party said that the Iranian frigate was India's "guest" as it had come to participate in an event hosted by the Indian Navy, and it was shameful for the government to not have ensured the vessel's safety in this region.

 

The Iranian frigate, IRIS Dena, was torpedoed by a US submarine Wednesday morning off the southern coast of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. At least 87 sailors died in the incident, while 32 people were rescued by Sri Lankan authorities.

 

"No statement of concern or condolence. PM Modi remains mute. Why lecture us on the doctrines of 'Mahasagar' and India being a 'Net Security Provider' in the Indian Ocean Region when you can't react on what is happening in your own backyard?" Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote on X.

 

He demanded to know why there was no maritime rescue or relief operation being run by India for the 38 Indian flag commercial ships with 1,100 sailors on board stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.

 

"You say only 25 days of crude and oil stocks left. With rising oil prices, what is our energy contingency plan, especially in the wake of the government virtually accepting the demand to stop import of Russian oil? What about the trade of other key commodities with the gulf countries?" Kharge asked.

 

In a separate press conference, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera questioned the wisdom of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Israel at a time when a war looked imminent in the region. "All the countries in the Global South are trying to steer clear of the genocidal regime of Netanyahu. But our prime minister happily went there," Khera said.

 

"He does not have the moral courage to condemn this illegal war imposed on Iran or condole the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Sadly, the prime minister of my country has been reduced to a puppet of 'Gangs of Epstein'," he added.

 

He pointed out that these foreign policy blunders by Modi had economic ramifications that would affect every Indian household. "Our merchandise worth INR 100 billion is stuck in the conflict region. Why could you not secure safe passage for your merchant ships through Strait of Hormuz just as Russia and China did?" Khera asked.

 

The Congress spokesperson shared some data points to show how India's energy needs are linked to the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed by Iran. "In the past five years, half of our total crude oil and liquefied natural gas purchases, and 85% of liquefied petroleum gas, which is used in household cooking, came though Strait of Hormuz." 

 

He said that the Indian National Shipowners' Association has begged the government for help, but the Modi government "is not in a position to help because it has burnt all bridges with Iran".  End

 

Reported by Asim Khan

Edited by Avishek Dutta

 

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