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Within hours  of the news being confirmed that USA had sunk an Iranian warship in the international waters in Indian Ocean which was in fact retirning after taking part in an Indian Navy’s exercise, the Congress President  Mallikarjun Kharge unleashed a scathing attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged mishandling of West Asia crisis.

On Thursday the 5th of March 2026, Kharge in a long statement issued via social media post on X raised multiple questions about the government’s response to the escalating situation in West Asia and the plight of Indian nationals stranded in the region.

The scathing attack from the Congress President has come following a confirmation by the United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that a US submarine had sunk the Iranian warship “IRIS Dena”.Around 180 people were onboard at the Iranian ship.

Sri Lanka’s navy said it recovered 87 bodies and rescued 32 people, who were admitted to a hospital in Galle, on the

“Modi Govt’s reckless abdication of India’s strategic & national interests is there for all to see,” Kharge stated.

He highlighted that an Iranian ship, a guest of India, was returning unarmed from the International Fleet Review 2026 hosted by India and was torpedoed in the Indian Ocean Region.”

An Iranian ship was a guest warship that took part in this year’s International Naval Review 2026 at the Port of Vishakhapatnam. \

Congress president says that no statement of concern or condolence ahs been issued by India.

“Why lecture us on the doctrines of MAHASAGAR and India being a ‘Net Security Provider’ in the IOR, when you can’t react on what is happening in your own backyard?” he asked.

Kharge highlighted the humanitarian crisis affecting Indian sailors in the Gulf of Hormuz.

“As many as 38 Indian Flag commercial ships along with 1100 sailors are stuck in Gulf of Hormuz. 2 Indian sailors, including Captain Ashish Kumar have reportedly died. Why is there no maritime rescue or relief operation in place?” he questioned.

He further raised concerns about India’s energy security and trade implications.

“You say only 25 days of crude and oil stocks left.

With rising oil prices, what is our energy contingency plan, especially in the wake of GOI virtually accepting the demand to stop import of Russian oil?

What about the trade of other key commodities with the gulf countries?” Kharge asked.

Ther Congress President also pointed to the MEA statement on March 3, 2026, regarding Indian nationals in the Gulf region.”As per MEA statement on March 3, 2026, ‘some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing’.

There are one crore Indians in the gulf region countries. Medical students are releasing desperate video messages seeking help.

How is the GOI securing their well-being? Is there any evacuation plan in place from the affected areas?” he said.

Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Prime Minister of surrender and compromising India’s foreign policy.