Congress flays Modi's silence on US attack on Iran's frigate on return from Indian coast

New Delhi: The Congress party has flayed prime minister Narendra Modi's silence on the sinking of Iranian warship in Indian Ocean by US torpedo on Wednesday. In a scathing criticism of the Modi government's and the BJP's silence on the US navy's submarine torpedoing IRIS Dena, the Iranian frigate that was returning after participating as India's guest at Vishakhapatnam, Congress spokesman Pawan Khera noted in X that the incident happened in India's strategic front yard.

The ship was on its voyage back after Indian Navy's multilateral exercise, Milan 2026 and the International Fleet Review hosted by India.

The sinking was close to the southern coast of Sri Lanka which is also leading the rescue operations. Sri Lanka said that at least 80 sailors were killed with another hundred personnel critically injured or still missing.

Khera asked in X: "The question now is: Will @narendramodi show the moral courage to criticise this, express condolences to Iran – and offer support to Sri Lanka in rescue and relief efforts? Or does even that require clearance from Washington and Tel Aviv?",

Khera also asked: "Does India have no influence left in its own neighbourhood? Or has that space also been quietly ceded to Washington and Tel Aviv?"

The US action is widely seen as representing a major escalation in its war against Iran in collaboration with Israel, much as it does an extension of the alliance's aerial and missile attacks to naval domain too. Also as the scene of action is far away from the warring countries, this speaks for America's defiance in reaching for enemy anywhere in the world and in any situation.