India news: Opposition Congress criticizes Modi over Iran crisis

DW News · Mar 2, 2026 · Collected from RSS

Full Article

PoliticsPublished March 2, 2026last updated March 2, 2026India's opposition Congress Party has condemned the Modi government's response to the killing of Iran's Khamenei. Meanwhile, in a call with Israel's Netanyahu, Modi urged an early end to hostilities. DW has the latest.https://p.dw.com/p/59delThe Congress Party criticized the timing of Modi's visit to Israel and meeting with Netanyahu last weekImage: Ilia Yefimovich/AFPSkip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to know India's Congress Party denounced the "targeted assassination" of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei The party also criticized the timing of Modi's visit to Israel last week Modi has spoken to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and the UAE's leader as tensions flare in the Middle East Here's the latest from India on Monday, March 2: Skip next section India and Canada hit reset on relations and announce dealsMarch 2, 2026India and Canada hit reset on relations and announce dealsIndia and Canada on Monday agreed a number of deals, including on critical mineral cooperation and a "landmark" uranium supply deal for nuclear power. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi announced the agreements at a meeting that is part of Carney's first official trip to India. The visit comes as India and Canada work to reset ties that deteriorated in 2023 over the killing of a Canadian ​Sikh separatist. Then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was fatally shot in British Columbia in June 2023. India refuted the claim, calling it "absurd". After Carney came to office, Canada has looked to mend its bilateral relations with India as it also faces tariff threats from the United States, its largest trading partner. Canada is now on a quest to diversify from the US and find new markets for its exports. Carney on Monday said that the two countries had agreed the launch of a "strategic energy partnership with significant potential" including a CAD$2.6 billion (US$1.9 billion, €1.6 billion) uranium supply agreement "supporting India's nuclear ambitions." Modi announced that both sides will also work together on Small Modular Reactors and advanced reactors. "In Civil Nuclear Energy, we have struck a landmark deal for long-term uranium supply," the Indian PM added. https://p.dw.com/p/59eBjSkip next section Modi voices 'deep concern' over tensions in Middle EastMarch 2, 2026Modi voices 'deep concern' over tensions in Middle EastPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the crisis unfolding in the Middle East was a matter of "deep concern" for India. He emphasized India's stance towards maintaining peace and stability. "India's position on the many ongoing tensions in the world is clear. We have always called for maintaining peace and stability, and when two democracies stand together, the voice for peace becomes even stronger," Modi said. "The current situation in West Asia is a matter of deep concern for us. India supports the resolution of all disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. We will continue to work closely with all countries to ensure the safety of all Indian citizens in the region," he added. Late on Sunday, Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a telephone call to discuss the tense situation in the Middle East. Modi said he urged Israel for an "early cessation of hostilities." The Indian leader said he emphasized the safety of civilians as a priority, expressing his government's concerns over the latest developments in the region. Modi was in Israel just last week during which he also delivered a speech at the Knesset, hailing the relations with Israel, one of India's closest allies. Modi also condemned the attack on the United Arab Emirates in a call to the Gulf nation's president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. "India stands in solidarity with the UAE in these difficult times," he said. https://p.dw.com/p/59dz1Skip next section Congress criticizes Modi government's response to Iran crisis March 2, 2026Congress criticizes Modi government's response to Iran crisis India's main opposition party, Congress, condemned the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in an Israeli strike and criticized the Modi government's response to the Middle East crisis. "The Indian National Congress (INC) unequivocally condemns the targeted assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, in a military strike carried out without a formal declaration of war," party President Mallikarjun Mapanna Kharge said in a statement released on Sunday night. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi described Khamenei's killing as "despicable," in a post on the social media platform X. She criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he aligned himself with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahyu and US President Donald Trump. "I do hope that having genuflected before the Prime Minister of Israel and President Trump, our Prime Minister makes every effort to bring all Indian citizens in the affected countries back home to safety," Gandhi said on social media platform X. The Congress deemed the Modi government's response to the war on Iran as a betrayal of "India's values, principles, concerns, and interests." The party also criticized Modi's visit to Israel last week, saying that it came at a time when the world was aware of an imminent US-Israel military attack for a regime change in Iran. "The assault began just two days after Mr. Modi left Israel where his speech to the Knesset was a display of shameful moral cowardice." Congress General- Secretary in-charge of Communication Jairam Ramesh wrote on X. https://p.dw.com/p/59dg5Skip next section Welcome to our coverageMarch 2, 2026Welcome to our coverageGood morning! This is Dharvi in New Delhi and I will be bringing you DW's latest offering — a daily wrap of news from India. It will be your one-stop shop for what's making headlines in India. We'll unpack the country's biggest and trending stories with reports and analysis from our studio in New Delhi and our team of multi-lingual reporters on the ground. Daily temperatures are soaring in New Delhi and so is the diplomatic heat. On the US-Israel war with Iran, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging an "early cessation of hostilities". India has also condemned the Iranian attacks on UAE, expressing solidarity with the Emirates. Meanwhile, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney spent the weekend meeting business leaders in India's financial hub, Mumbai. He has now reached New Delhi where he is meeting Modi as part of a maiden visit to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Canada, which frayed in 2023. Stay tuned to find out what India is talking about today. https://p.dw.com/p/59demShow more posts