Non-alignment revisited: Silent on Iran, is India losing its independent voice?

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* 

The reported American–Israeli attack on Iran, and the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, if confirmed, would represent a grave breach of diplomatic norms and international law. Such an act would reinforce long-standing accusations that Washington pursues regime change by targeting political leadership rather than relying on sustained diplomacy and multilateral engagement.

When Donald Trump returned to office under the banner of “Make America Great Again,” his supporters framed it as a promise to restore American strength and prestige. Critics, however, argue that U.S. policy in West Asia has remained closely aligned with the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly during the devastating war in Gaza, which has drawn global condemnation over civilian casualties, including thousands of children. For many observers, this alignment raises uncomfortable questions about consistency in the application of human rights principles.

It is worth considering how the international community might react if a comparable targeted assassination were carried out by Vladimir Putin in the context of the war in Ukraine. Western governments have been quick to invoke the “rules-based international order” in condemning Moscow’s actions. Yet critics contend that this language appears selective when applied unevenly. European leaders, too, face scrutiny for what some describe as muted or cautious responses in situations involving U.S. or Israeli actions, reinforcing perceptions of double standards.

None of this requires endorsement of the Iranian regime’s domestic policies. Iran’s political future is ultimately a matter for its own people. The broader issue is whether external military intervention and targeted killings advance democracy or further destabilize an already volatile region. Civilian casualties, including reports of schoolchildren killed in regional conflicts, underscore the tragic human cost of escalation and the limits of military solutions in resolving political disputes.

The crisis also highlights a deeper debate about global power structures. Critics argue that Western democracies are heavily influenced by corporate and strategic interests that shape foreign policy and media narratives. Those governments that resist Western dominance often describe themselves as victims of information warfare and diplomatic isolation. At the same time, defenders of the Western alliance insist that their actions are guided by security imperatives and international commitments. The divergence in perspectives has widened the geopolitical divide between the West and much of the Global South.

Within the Muslim world and beyond, reactions have been complex. Some view Iranian resistance to U.S. pressure as defiance against hegemony; others worry that escalating confrontation will further destabilize the region. Large public demonstrations in parts of West Asia and elsewhere reflect how deeply such events resonate beyond national borders.

For India, the situation poses a delicate foreign policy challenge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to balance relations with the United States, Israel, Iran, and Russia. Critics at home argue that New Delhi should speak more clearly when sovereignty is violated; supporters contend that strategic restraint protects India’s long-term interests. India’s historical legacy under leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, who championed non-alignment and offered refuge to the Dalai Lama in 1959 despite Chinese pressure, is often invoked in debates about whether the country is maintaining its independent voice.

The question becomes even more pointed as India prepares to host a summit of BRICS, a bloc that presents itself as an alternative platform for the Global South. Can India claim moral leadership if it avoids taking positions on contentious global crises? Or does pragmatic diplomacy require calculated silence?

Meanwhile, institutions such as the United Nations face renewed calls to reclaim their mediating role. The erosion of multilateral norms has left many conflicts managed by power politics rather than collective security mechanisms. Without credible international accountability, the cycle of retaliation risks intensifying.

Ultimately, the world stands at a crossroads. Major democracies are being tested not only on their strategic choices but also on their adherence to principles they publicly champion. Whether in Washington, Moscow, New Delhi, or Tehran, leadership today demands diplomatic maturity, consistency, and respect for sovereignty. Peace will require difficult questions to be asked of all powers — not only about security, but about the legitimacy of using force to shape political outcomes in sovereign states.

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*Human rights defender