05 March,2026 03:21 PM IST | Jaipur | mid-day online correspondent
Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot criticised the centre for its alleged silence on incident. File Pic
Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the central government for its alleged silence following a reported United States submarine attack that sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, reported the PTI.
He said India's strength lies in maintaining an independent foreign policy rather than showing "subservience" to any global power.
According to reports, the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was attacked in international waters off the coast of Sri Lanka on Wednesday. The vessel was returning after participating in the MILAN Naval Exercise, a multinational naval drill hosted by India.
Authorities said more than 80 bodies of Iranian sailors have been recovered following the attack, which allegedly involved a United States submarine. The incident has raised concerns across the region as tensions continue to rise in the Gulf, as per the PTI.
Gehlot stressed that India has historically maintained strategic autonomy in international affairs and has never compromised its sovereignty under pressure from other nations.
Referring to past leadership, he said India's diplomatic approach - from the Non-Aligned Movement associated with Jawaharlal Nehru to the assertive diplomacy of Indira Gandhi - showed that the country has traditionally resisted pressure from global superpowers, the news agency reported.
According to the PTI, Ashok Gehlot also cited India's response during the tenure of former prime minister Manmohan Singh during the 2013 diplomatic row involving Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in the United States.
He noted that the Indian government at the time withdrew certain privileges from American diplomats in response to the dispute, demonstrating a firm stand in protecting national dignity, reported the PTI.
The Congress leader warned that India's credibility could be questioned if the government does not respond strongly to the sinking of IRIS Dena, especially as the vessel was operating in India's maritime neighbourhood.
He said remaining silent on unilateral military actions by the United States would go against India's diplomatic ethos and the pride of its armed forces.
"If we truly consider ourselves protectors of the Indian Ocean, we must prioritise our autonomy and the safety of our guests above all else," he said, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
