6th January, 2026
India’s half-hearted response to the US military operation in Venezuela raises serious questions about the erosion of its historic moral leadership. Diaspora in Action for Human Rights and Democracy (DAHRD) urges the Indian government to reaffirm its commitment to international law, peace and solidarity by unequivocally condemning the US military attack in Caracas.
While conspicuously avoiding naming Washington or condemning the military strikes, the Indian government belatedly broke its silence on the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces, issuing an unconvincing half-hearted response, expressing a “matter of deep concern”, that in no way reflects India’s Moral and Rule of Law positioning.
The latest event in Venezuela constitutes a new, blatant, and illegal act of aggression against a sovereign state, regardless of one’s opinion of the Caracas government. Such a weak response, in the face of bombings and attack on a country’s sovereignty, raises serious questions about India’s willingness to uphold the very principles it has long claimed to defend.” said Dr. Ritumbra Manuvie, Co-Founder and Executive Director of DAHRD
As a founding member of the BRICS (which Venezuela aspires to join) and a leading voice for the Global South, India occupies a unique moral and political position in today’s international order. Global leadership in an era of renewed militarism and unilateral action requires more than diplomatic caution. New Delhi’s condemnation of the US aggression in Venezuela is not only a moral imperative, but also a strategic necessity for solidarity, credibility and cohesion within the BRICS itself.
Reclaiming India’s Historic Moral Leadership
India’s muted response contrasts sharply with the strong international reaction to the US operation on Venezuela. This is particularly given that New Delhi has historically and consistently invoked the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially in the context of its own regional disputes.
In recent years, however, the Indian government’s response to major international crises, including the war in Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza and now Venezuela, have been characterized by a refusal to condemn military aggressions.
India‘s international standing was forged by leaders who were vocal against colonial domination, territorial aggression and violations of sovereignty. Today, that legacy appears increasingly at risk. By avoiding condemning the US attack on Venezuela, the Indian government weakens India’s long-standing identity as a defender of peace, sovereignty, and non-intervention.
India must once again assume its historic role, not as a passive observer, but as a global leader capable of condemning aggression wherever it occurs, regardless of the actors involved. Defending multilateralism means defending the principles of the United Nations Charter, including respect for sovereignty, protection of civilians, and peaceful settlement of disputes.
