New Delhi :Pawan Khera, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Department of the Indian National Congress, launched a sharp criticism of the government led by Narendra Modi over the reported targeting of an Iranian warship by the United States in the Indian Ocean.
Addressing the media in New Delhi, Khera raised several questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident and the role of Indian authorities in ensuring the security of visiting naval vessels during international exercises.
The Congress spokesperson recalled the 2018 incident involving Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, whose yacht was intercepted in international waters near Goa, stating that India had then demonstrated strong maritime vigilance in the region. He contrasted that episode with the current situation, alleging that India failed to protect a visiting Iranian vessel that had arrived for a naval engagement.
Khera claimed that the ship was reportedly unarmed, as vessels participating in such exercises are often not equipped with full combat systems. According to him, the vessel was allegedly attacked and sunk by US forces in the Indian Ocean, raising serious questions about maritime security in the region.
He also questioned why the United States withdrew its naval ships from the joint exercise at the last moment and instead sent only officers to participate. Khera asked whether India had prior knowledge of the alleged US action and, if so, what measures were taken to safeguard the visiting vessel. If not, he demanded to know what steps the government had taken to prevent such an incident.
Drawing a historical comparison, the Congress leader cited a decision taken during the tenure of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986, when India opposed the installation of a Voice of America transmitter in Sri Lanka, describing it as an example of protecting national and regional interests.
Khera argued that despite India’s technological capabilities and surveillance systems in the Indian Ocean, the government had failed to prevent the alleged attack on a visiting vessel. He questioned the government’s claim of being a key security provider in the Indian Ocean region and called for greater transparency on the issue.