Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 17: The Congress party on Thursday issued a strong call for a strategic overhaul of India’s foreign policy, citing concerns about the nation’s diminishing global influence and deviation from its foundational diplomatic principles. The party also demanded a full debate during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament to reassess India’s international posture.

Speaking at a press conference at the AICC headquarters, senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Anand Sharma accused the government of steering India away from its long-standing, bipartisan approach to global diplomacy. “India’s foreign policy has always transcended politics and reflected moral clarity. That legacy is now under threat,” Sharma said.

He criticised what he called a "fundamental departure" from India's traditional stance, warning that recent decisions lacked parliamentary consultation and were driven by domestic political calculations rather than national interest.

The immediate trigger for Sharma’s criticism was India’s recent abstention from a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution, introduced by Spain, was supported by 149 countries — India was one of just 19 that abstained.

“The land of Gandhi failed to vote for peace. That single abstention hurt our standing as a voice for the oppressed and weakened our leadership in the Global South,” Sharma said.

He described the abstention as “deeply painful and morally unacceptable,” pointing out that even close allies of Israel and the U.S. had backed the resolution. He urged the government to return to India’s legacy of principled diplomacy by actively engaging with both Israel and Palestine.

Sharma also expressed alarm at the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 60,000 people have reportedly died amid escalating violence. “India’s voice must stand for peace, justice, and humanitarian values,” he asserted.

Calling for a full-fledged debate in Parliament, Sharma said democratic accountability is essential in shaping foreign policy. “We cannot shy away from discussing where we stand as the rule-based global order erodes and multilateral institutions like the UN grow increasingly ineffective,” he warned.

Congress’s strong stance signals growing unease within opposition ranks about the current government's foreign policy trajectory, and reflects a broader demand for transparency, inclusiveness, and a return to values-based global engagement.