Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party leaders on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Congress for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the United States and Israel carrying out military strikes on Iran, accusing the opposition of undermining national interest and branding it an “army of rats” for what they described as habitual negativity on sensitive foreign policy matters.The political exchange follows escalating tensions in West Asia after Washington and Tel Aviv conducted coordinated strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, a move that has drawn global scrutiny and prompted calls for restraint from several capitals. Congress leaders questioned the Centre’s diplomatic posture and sought clarity on India’s response, arguing that the government must articulate a principled stand consistent with its long-standing ties in the region.
Senior BJP figures rejected the criticism outright, asserting that foreign policy decisions require strategic discretion rather than public posturing. A party spokesperson said the Congress had made it a “pattern to cast aspersions on every sensitive issue, whether it concerns national security or external affairs”, adding that such remarks weaken the country’s standing at a time of geopolitical volatility. The use of the phrase “army of rats” drew immediate reaction from Congress leaders, who described it as intemperate and beneath the standards of democratic discourse.
Congress representatives maintained that raising questions on diplomatic positioning is part of the opposition’s constitutional role. They argued that India has historically balanced relations with Israel, Iran and the United States, and that clarity is needed on how this balance is being managed amid a widening conflict. A senior Congress leader said that silence or ambiguity could affect energy security, diaspora interests and trade flows, particularly given India’s dependence on crude imports from the Gulf.
India’s ties with Iran have spanned energy cooperation and strategic connectivity projects, including the development of the Chabahar port, which New Delhi views as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia. At the same time, defence and technology cooperation with Israel has deepened over the past decade, while relations with Washington have expanded across security, trade and critical technologies. Analysts note that navigating these overlapping partnerships has long required calibrated diplomacy, especially during flare-ups in the region.
Government officials have emphasised that India consistently calls for de-escalation and dialogue in West Asia. In previous episodes of heightened conflict involving Israel and Iran-backed groups, New Delhi has urged restraint and underscored the need to protect civilian lives. The Centre has also prioritised the safety of nationals in the region, coordinating with embassies and diaspora networks whenever hostilities intensify.
The BJP’s criticism of the Congress unfolded against a backdrop of sharpening domestic political contestation. With national elections on the horizon, foreign policy has become an arena for contrasting narratives. The ruling party frequently highlights its record of evacuating citizens during crises, including operations in Ukraine and Sudan, as evidence of decisive leadership. Congress, meanwhile, argues that parliamentary oversight and transparency are essential, particularly when conflicts have implications for energy markets and strategic alignments.
Energy security remains a central concern. India imports more than 80 per cent of its crude oil requirements, with a substantial share sourced from West Asia. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz or retaliatory measures affecting shipping lanes could push up global prices, affecting inflation and fiscal calculations. Economists warn that sustained volatility in oil markets would test the government’s ability to manage fuel subsidies and maintain growth momentum.
Security experts observe that the Israel-Iran confrontation carries broader regional risks, potentially drawing in allied militias and affecting maritime trade routes. Any escalation involving the United States could further complicate diplomatic balancing for countries with multifaceted partnerships. For India, which has expanded defence cooperation with Israel while sustaining engagement with Tehran, signalling neutrality without alienating partners requires careful language.
The tone of the BJP’s response also reflects a broader political strategy of framing criticism as detrimental to national unity. Party leaders have in the past accused opposition figures of politicising external affairs, particularly during crises. Congress counters that bipartisan consensus cannot be demanded while dissenting voices are dismissed as unpatriotic.