India has strongly condemned remarks made by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, regarding the treatment of Indian Muslims. In a social media post marking the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed, Khamenei mentioned the plight of Indian Muslims alongside those in Gaza and Myanmar, which sparked sharp criticism from New Delhi.
“We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the Supreme Leader of Iran,” stated the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The ministry emphasized that such comments were “misinformed and unacceptable” and urged countries to reflect on their own human rights records before commenting on others.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s Remarks
In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Ayatollah Khamenei said, “We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in #Myanmar, #Gaza, #India, or any other place.” He added that the “enemies of Islam” have historically sought to create indifference among Muslims towards the struggles of their fellow believers.
Strained Diplomatic Situation
The comments from Iran’s leader come at a time when hostilities between Iran and Israel are escalating, a situation that puts India in a delicate diplomatic position. India maintains strong ties with both nations — Iran is a major supplier of crude oil to India, while Israel is an important partner in defense and security matters.
India’s relationship with Teheran is also crucial due to shared concerns about terrorism from neighboring Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as the mutual interest in the Chabahar port project, a key trade route for both nations.
Strategic Balancing Act
India has been navigating a complex web of international relationships in West Asia, where 80% of its oil imports originate. At the same time, its evolving strategic partnership with Israel has become vital for defense and security cooperation.
Despite these ties, India remains clear in its position on matters of sovereignty and internal affairs. In response to Khamenei’s remarks, New Delhi reiterated that external parties should refrain from making uninformed comments about India’s domestic issues, particularly concerning the treatment of its minorities.