Senior Journalist N. Ram, Director of The Hindu Group, called on citizens to protest against what he calls “imperialist attacks” on Iran and to challenge India’s changing foreign policy. Speaking at a seminar in New Delhi on Sunday, Ram criticised the response of the Indian government after the United States and Israel attacked Iranian military sites, as well as urged citizens to express their opposition to both the war and India’s developing role in US/Iran relations.
Call for Public Protest
Ram made the comments during an event called ‘Imperialist Aggression and its Effects’, which took place at HKS Surjeet Bhavan near Connaught Place, New Delhi.
He stated during his speech that the current situation requires public action as it relates to the change in India’s foreign policy, as well as the struggle against all types of imperialist military aggressions against nations in different parts of the world.
He also called upon people from other countries to show their support for all countries currently being attacked by imperialism in West Asia, Latin America, etc.
Criticism of Government Response
In response to the recent escalation in conflict in the Middle East, Ram has levelled harsh accusations against Prime Minister Modi and his administration. He referred to their actions, following the bombings in Iran, as “disgraceful”, claiming that they were doing little to denounce the actions taken by those countries. In addition, he asserted that the Indian government’s diplomatic signals demonstrated an agreement between the U.S. and Israeli governments.
He claimed that Modi’s visit to Israel, which took place soon after the bombing of Iran, appeared to provide political cover for Netanyahu and U.S. President Trump in their ongoing conflict with Iran.
He also explained that the recent events in the region represent more than just a series of terrorist actions; rather, they have resulted in substantive changes to how India positions itself on the world stage.
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A Shift in India’s Foreign Policy?
Raja stated that India’s traditional foreign policy model, which has been based on anti-colonialism and the support of developing countries, has changed over the last decade. The three changes that he identified as demonstrating the transformation were the following: An increased strategic partnership with the USA. Enhanced cooperation and political alignment with Israel. Weakened historical support for Palestine and Iran. Raja argued that these trends reflect a general shift in the way India conducts its foreign relations.
Debate Over Palestine Policy
Ram expressed that a separate but troubling concern was that the Indian government’s position toward the Palestinian issue is changing. He noted that historically, among developing countries, India was one of the strongest supporters of the rights of the people of Palestine; however, he stated: “While India continues to support a two-state solution in theory, the political impact has been lessened due to India’s closer strategic cooperation with Israel.” He further opined that India has shifted from using the language of solidarity with oppressed people to using language related to security partnerships and geopolitical balancing.
Voices From the Seminar
Attendees of this occasion were diplomats, reporters, and leftist political leaders. The Cuban ambassador to India, Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera, spoke out against the ongoing military aggression towards Cuba that he claims is coming from the U.S. He went on to say that Cuba has had decades of preparation to maintain their independence and sovereignty.
Seema Chishti, senior reporter, also provided her perspectives about the current geopolitical situation, calling it an example of the re-emergence of a colonial power struggle type of geopolitical rivalry as has been seen before, only now in a different way.
A Growing Foreign Policy Debate
Ram’s comments, along with those of other speakers, point toward ongoing debate in India about its role in global affairs. Many critics believe that New Delhi has gotten too cosy with Western nations, while the Indian government asserts that its foreign policy is rooted in national interests (including international business) and stability in the region.
As tensions continue to escalate in West Asia, the discussion concerning where India’s foreign policy is headed and India’s involvement in global disputes will likely intensify over the next several months.
