THE SILENCE OF NARENDRA MODI ON THE ASSASSINATION OF AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI, SUPREME LEADER OF IRAN, IS A GRAVE MISTAKE

MK Faizy, National President of the Social Democratic Party of India, has criticised the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in reported joint US-Israeli airstrikes on 28 February 2026. The killing has sharply escalated tensions in West Asia, triggered retaliation, and heightened fears of a wider regional conflict with serious consequences for global stability, energy security, and the safety of the Indian diaspora in the Gulf.

India’s official response has been confined to general calls for restraint, without any direct reference to the assassination or acknowledgment of its gravity. At a moment of intense international concern, such distance risks weakening India’s moral standing and its longstanding commitment to sovereignty, non-alignment, and peaceful resolution of disputes. As a country with deep strategic, economic, and cultural ties across the region, India cannot afford ambiguity in the face of developments that threaten regional balance.

The Social Democratic Party of India therefore urges the government to articulate a clear and principled position, reaffirm its commitment to international law, and actively support diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation. A timely and balanced response is essential to safeguard national interests, protect Indian citizens abroad, and uphold the values of justice, dialogue, and peace in international relations.