Mahadangal: Sonia Gandhi’s Israel Criticism Sparks Debate Over National Interest | ABP NEWS

A heated political exchange took place on ABP News’s Mahadangal last night as the Israel-Iran conflict entered its ninth day. The debate focused on Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s recent article, in which she strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for intensifying the war and questioned the Indian government’s silence on the issue. According to Sonia, Israel’s actions against a non-nuclear Iran reflect a troubling double standard. She further accused the Modi government of straying from India’s long-standing moral and diplomatic principles by failing to take a clear stand—especially when Iran has historically maintained friendly relations with India. Her remarks drew strong rebuttals from BJP panelists and political experts, who emphasized Israel’s consistent support to India during crises such as the 1971 war, the Kargil conflict, and Operation Sindoor. They also recalled that Iran had supported Pakistan during the 1971 war and has been largely non-committal during India's recent military challenges. Amid this, the Iranian Embassy’s warning to foreign powers—following a meeting between Donald Trump and Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir—further fueled the debate. The panel concluded that India’s current neutral and balanced diplomatic approach is appropriate, and Sonia Gandhi’s statements were viewed as politically out of sync with national interest.

videos