From Rome to Rhetoric: Sonia Gandhi’s Iran Tilt Raises Questions About Her Roots in Bharat

Paromita Das
New Delhi, 27th June:  The story of Bharat has always been one of contested narratives—of visionaries, revolutionaries, dissenters, and defenders. But no other political dynasty has managed to remain so central, and yet so consistently at odds with Bharat’s evolving national consciousness, as the Nehru-Gandhi family. Recently, Sonia Gandhi found herself once again in the eye of a diplomatic storm. Her controversial remarks on the Israel-Iran conflict, seen as overtly sympathetic to Iran, have drawn sharp rebukes—not only from international voices like Israel’s Ambassador to Bharat, Reuven Azar, but also from concerned Bharatiya citizens who are increasingly questioning whether the Congress matriarch and her family truly resonate with the spirit of Bharat.

When Silence Speaks Volumes

In her recent op-ed, Sonia Gandhi criticized Israel’s military operations and called Bharat’s silence a “diplomatic failure.” But what stood out more than her words was her silence on the October 7 Hamas attack that led to the brutal killing of Israeli civilians. It’s one thing to condemn military actions; it’s another to deliberately avoid condemning terrorism. Ambassador Azar called this omission “deeply disappointing,” and he had every right to be.

For a leader who has held the reins of Bharat’s grand old party, Sonia Gandhi’s selective morality is not just diplomatically imprudent—it is ethically hollow. It speaks to a troubling pattern within the Gandhi family’s political messaging: statements that often seem more aligned with international power blocs or ideological narratives than with the grounded realities of Bharatiya interests and values.

The Pattern of Provocation

From opposing the abrogation of Article 370 to questioning Bharat’s airstrikes in Balakot, from remaining mute on cross-border terrorism to now echoing the tones of Iran’s strategic narrative, the Gandhi family’s posturing repeatedly seems to align more with external critique than internal strength. There’s an observable comfort in challenging the state, a reflexive habit of second-guessing national initiatives, and an almost academic disdain for realpolitik that is driven by Bharatiya security and cultural imperatives.

These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re dots that connect a larger image—one of alienation from Bharat’s core political soul, its cultural heritage, and its global aspirations.

A Matter of Identity and Understanding

Perhaps part of the disconnect lies in the fundamental challenge of cultural immersion. Sonia Gandhi, born in Italy and having retained her European citizenship till well into her marriage, has been accused—fairly or unfairly—of never fully embracing Bharat as more than a political platform. Her children, despite their years in Bharatiya politics, have often appeared tone-deaf to grassroots sentiment and have frequently echoed globalist rhetoric devoid of domestic grounding.

To suggest they are not “Bharatiya in true sense” is not an insult; it’s a critique of political estrangement. Bharat, as an idea, is not just about holding an Bharatiya passport—it’s about embracing a civilizational ethos. It is about cultural intuition, national instinct, and a moral compass aligned with this land’s legacy. That’s a terrain where the Gandhi family seems increasingly unsure of its footing.

Global Affairs, Local Ramifications

Sonia Gandhi’s recent criticism of the Israeli strikes and her indirect support for Iran come at a time when Bharat is walking a diplomatic tightrope. New Delhi maintains strategic ties with both nations. It has expanded military and intelligence cooperation with Israel while also nurturing civilizational ties with Iran. To jeopardize this balance with publicly controversial comments is not just amateur diplomacy—it’s political recklessness.

Ambassador Azar’s disappointment wasn’t just with the content of Gandhi’s article; it was with the tone-deafness of it. While the world grapples with Iran’s decades of aggression, nuclear ambition, and terrorist affiliations, the Congress leader found moral fault in Israel’s right to self-defense. Such statements don’t just antagonize allies—they embarrass the nation.

The Need for Restraint and Reflection

Politics, especially in a democracy as vibrant and chaotic as Bharat’s, thrives on differences. But those differences must be framed within the boundaries of national interest. The Gandhi family’s penchant for controversial, often anti-establishment statements doesn’t merely serve as opposition. It risks alienating the very nation they seek to lead.

Public statements from leaders with Sonia Gandhi’s stature are not just opinions—they’re signals. They carry weight in global capitals, they influence media narratives, and they shape the perception of Bharat’s political coherence. At a time when Bharat is emerging as a global player, internal discord communicated on international platforms does more harm than good.

Time to Reclaim a Bharatiya Consciousness

The Gandhi family’s repeated public remarks, which appear disconnected from Bharat’s strategic and moral positioning, raise a fundamental question: can a family that frequently questions Bharat’s decisions from a globally critical lens truly claim to embody its spirit?

It’s time for reflection—not just for Sonia Gandhi, but for the Congress Party as a whole. If it wishes to remain relevant in the changing political and cultural tides of Bharat, it must reconnect with the soil it once claimed to represent. Leadership is not just about intellectual critique; it is about emotional allegiance. The Gandhi family must decide whether they wish to be a voice of Bharat or a critique of it. Because in the hearts of many Bharatiya today, the line between political opposition and cultural alienation has already been crossed.