Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has recently criticized the central government's foreign policy, particularly concerning India's stance on the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Yadav described the BJP-led government's approach as "confusing," raising concerns about India's reliability as a partner on the global stage.
Yadav's criticism came during a press conference in Lucknow, where he emphasized the importance of consistent alliances in international relations. He stated, "The world looks at who you stand with in bad times. If you are not standing with your friend, who once did a favour for you, it is a big betrayal of the foreign policy." This statement suggests that Yadav believes India should be more steadfast in supporting its allies, especially during times of crisis.
The backdrop to Yadav's remarks is the growing tension between Iran and Israel, a conflict that has drawn international attention and concern. The United States has also become directly involved, with President Trump announcing "massive precision" strikes on Iran and warning of further retaliation if peace is not achieved. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for an emergency meeting to address the situation, and has confirmed that there have been no reported increases in off-site radiation levels following the strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
India is currently undertaking evacuation efforts to bring back its citizens from Iran, highlighting the potential risks to Indian nationals in the conflict-ridden region.
This isn't the first time Yadav has questioned the Centre's policies. In February 2025, he criticized the government's decision to allow 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector, arguing it could jeopardize the industry and the interests of Indian policyholders. He raised concerns about the accountability of foreign insurers and whether they would reinvest profits in India.
In June 2025, Yadav expressed reservations about streamlining the approval process for Chinese FDI, stating that foreign investment often leads to profits leaving the country. He quoted a news report about the government expediting approvals for Chinese FDI proposals, questioning the consistency of the government's priorities regarding security and business.
Yadav's broader critique extends to other areas, including concerns about shrinking borders, press freedom, law and order, unemployment, health, and poverty. In April 2024, he questioned why the country's borders were shrinking and how free its press was, urging voters to bring about change.
