She alleged that given the record, “it is not surprising that Netanyahu would choose escalation over engagement.”Referring to the US President, she said, Trump’s statement of June 17 dismissing its own intelligence chief’s assessment and claiming that Iran was “very close” to acquiring nuclear weapons is “deeply disappointing”.”The world expects and needs leadership that is grounded in facts and driven by diplomacy, and not by force or falsehoods,” she said.Gandhi said Iran has been a long-standing friend to India and is bound to us by deep civilisational ties.”It has a history of steadfast support, including in Jammu and Kashmir at crucial junctures. In 1994, Iran helped block a resolution critical of India at the UN Commission on Human Rights on the Kashmir issue,” she noted.”Indeed, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been much more cooperative with India than its predecessor, the Imperial State of Iran, that had tilted towards Pakistan in the 1965 and 1971 wars,” she added.Referring to the India-Israel strategic relations in recent decades, she said, “This unique position gives our country the moral responsibility and the diplomatic leverage to act as a bridge for de-escalation and peace.””This is not simply an abstract principle. Lakhs of Indian citizens are living and working across West Asia, which makes peace in the region an issue of vital national interest.”Israel’s recent actions against Iran have taken place in an atmosphere of impunity, enabled by near-unconditional support from powerful western nations,” Gandhi said.She said while the Indian National Congress unequivocally condemned the “absolutely horrific and totally unacceptable attacks” by Hamas on October 7, 2023, “we cannot remain silent in the face of Israel’s catastrophic and disproportionate response.”More than 55,000 Palestinians have lost their lives. Entire families, neighbourhoods, and even hospitals have been obliterated. Gaza stands on the brink of famine, and its civilian population continues to suffer unspeakable hardship,” she added.
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