India, March 23 -- The political sparring over India's stance on the West Asia crisis intensified on Monday, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launching a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking at an event in Vadodara, the Leader of Opposition questioned the Prime Minister's address in the Lok Sabha on Monday, particularly pointing out what he described as a "conspicuous omission", the absence of any direct reference to the United States. Gandhi said that Modi's silence was not incidental but indicative of a deeper issue.

"I've heard that the Prime Minister gave a 25-minute speech. But I guarantee he cannot participate in a debate in Parliament because he is compromised. Narendra Modi spoke for 25 minutes but did not say...