Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not issuing a statement after the Iranian warship IRIS Dena was reportedly sunk by a US submarine in the Indian Ocean amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Rahul Gandhi Raises Concerns Over Regional Security
Reacting to the incident, Gandhi said the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran has now “reached India’s backyard” and warned that the situation could have serious consequences for the country.
In a post on social media, he wrote that the world has entered a “volatile phase” and cautioned that the crisis could threaten India’s energy security. According to him, more than 40% of India’s oil imports pass through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, making the region vital for the country’s fuel supply, including LPG and LNG shipments.
Attack on IRIS Dena
The Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, considered one of Iran’s newer naval vessels, reportedly sank after being hit by a torpedo fired from a US submarine in waters near Sri Lanka. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the attack and said the strike gave the vessel a “quiet death.”
Congress Questions Government’s Silence
Gandhi accused the Indian government of failing to respond to a major geopolitical development close to India’s maritime region. He said that at a time when tensions are rising globally, India needs “a steady hand at the wheel.”
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticised the Centre, stating that the sinking of the Iranian warship has “enormous implications for India.” He expressed surprise that the government had not yet issued an official statement on the matter.
Ramesh further pointed out that the government had also remained silent on the recent killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the ongoing US-Israel strikes in Iran.
The remarks come as tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran continue to escalate, raising concerns about wider regional instability and its potential impact on global energy routes.