Modi Government Breaks Silence on Middle East Crisis Amid Growing Criticism

New Delhi
Under mounting pressure from opposition parties at home and increasing international scrutiny, the Modi government has spoken out on the Middle East crisis for the first time. India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing concern over the casualties and destruction in Lebanon — notably without mentioning Israel by name even once.
The ministry’s spokesperson stated that India believes in the importance of respecting international law, the sovereignty of all nations, and the right of every state to ensure its own security — a carefully worded formulation that stopped well short of assigning any blame.
The statement also called for an immediate ceasefire on humanitarian grounds and urged all parties to protect civilian lives.
Critics, however, were quick to point out the glaring ambiguity of New Delhi’s position, accusing the government of issuing a deliberately vague statement designed to appease domestic Muslim sentiment while avoiding any direct criticism of Tel Aviv — with whom India maintains deep defence and trade ties.
India’s carefully calibrated silence on the Gaza and Lebanon conflicts had drawn sharp condemnation both within the country and from Muslim-majority nations, eventually forcing New Delhi’s hand into issuing what many analysts are calling “too little, too late.”