PM doesn't want to antagonise US, Israeli 'friend': Cong slams 'silence' on Khamenei assassination
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Friday attacked the Modi government for its "silence" on the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said "a compromised prime minister no doubt wants to avoid antagonising his American and Israeli friend".
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said India has rightly condemned Iran's attacks on Gulf states but is completely quiet on the US-Israeli assault on Iran in the first place.
"Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the constitutional head of state in Iran, was assassinated on February 28 2026 by the US and Israel. The PM is silent. The EAM is silent. Parliament is yet to have an obituary reference," Ramesh said on X.
"India has rightly condemned Iran's attacks on Gulf states but is completely quiet on the US-Israeli assault on Iran in the first place. It should be remembered that Iran is a part of the BRICS+ forum for which India holds the Presidency for this year," he said.
Noting that in May 2024, the President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a mysterious helicopter crash, Ramesh said the Modi government had ordered one-day mourning on May 21, 2024 and Parliament had an obituary reference on July 1, 2024 when it convened.
"Why the hesitancy now? A compromised PM no doubt wants to avoid antagonizing his American and Israeli 'friend'," the Congress leader said, in an apparent reference to US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Congress on Thursday said the Opposition is demanding a discussion in both Houses of Parliament on the situation in West Asia and its impacts on India, but the Modi government is "adamantly refusing" to allow such a debate as it is "afraid".
The opposition party also claimed that the government's foreign policy "already stands brutally exposed".
The Congress had staged a walkout in Rajya Sabha and protested in Lok Sabha on being dissatisfied with the statement of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in both houses of Parliament on Monday.
The opposition party had termed as "vapid" Jaishankar's statement on the West Asia situation in Parliament and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy "(mis)adventurism" coupled with the government's undermining of the Indian Foreign Service, is pushing India into "vassalage".
The US and Israel launched a major military attack on Iran on February 28, killing Khamenei.
Making a suo-motu statement in Parliament, Jaishankar had said New Delhi stood for maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the region. He defended allowing the Iranian ship to dock at an Indian port as the right decision taken on humanitarian grounds.
He said the Indian government has been constantly monitoring the evolving situation in the region at the highest level and has already brought back 67,000 stranded Indians from the conflict zone.
Jaishankar had said the safety of Indian nationals and national interests, such as energy security and trade, remain the topmost priority for the government.
Ayatollah Khamenei, the constitutional head of state in Iran, was assassinated on Feb 28 2026 by the US and Israel. The PM is silent. The EAM is silent. Parliament is yet to have an obituary reference.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 13, 2026
India has rightly condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf states but is completely…
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
