From CAA criticism to Kashmir comment: Historical past that frames India’s silence over Khamenei’s demise | India Information
NEW DELHI: India has kept away from condemning the assassination of Iran’s supreme chief Ali Khamenei, even because it has criticised Iranian strikes on Gulf international locations and known as for restraint, dialogue and de-escalation in West Asia.The calibrated response has drawn sharp political reactions at residence, with Congress Parliamentary occasion chairperson Sonia Gandhi terming the federal government’s silence an “abdication” reasonably than neutrality. In an opinion piece in The Indian Specific, she stated India’s lack of a transparent response to the killing “alerts tacit endorsement of this tragedy” and known as for a dialogue in Parliament.
Govt response: Restraint, not endorsement
The ministry of exterior affairs (MEA) has restricted its public place to urging “restraint, dialogue and de-escalation.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to leaders throughout the Gulf, together with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Jordan, condemning assaults on their territories and emphasising the security of the practically 10 million Indians dwelling within the area.India has not condemned the US-Israel strikes that reportedly killed Khamenei, nor has it issued condolences. Authorities sources point out that sovereign responses are guided by nationwide curiosity, together with vitality safety, diaspora welfare and strategic partnerships within the Gulf.
A historical past of public criticism
Khamenei had repeatedly commented on India’s inner issues over the previous decade, prompting diplomatic protests from New Delhi.In 2017, he known as on the Muslim world to help what he described as “oppressed Muslims of Kashmir.” After the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, he publicly urged India to undertake a “simply coverage” on Kashmir, following which the MEA summoned the Iranian envoy.Through the January 2020 debate over the Citizenship Modification Act (CAA), Iran’s parliament speaker criticised the regulation as “anti-Muslim discrimination,” remarks India rejected as interference. In March 2020, amid the Delhi riots, Khamenei tweeted that India ought to “confront extremist Hindus,” described the violence as a “bloodbath of Muslims,” and warned of “isolation from the world of Islam,” utilizing the hashtag #IndianMuslimsInDanger. The MEA once more summoned the Iranian ambassador.As just lately as September 2024, Khamenei positioned India alongside Myanmar and Gaza in a social media submit, drawing an official response from the MEA calling the remarks “misinformed and unacceptable.”
Gulf priorities and strategic alignment
India’s sharper condemnation has been directed at Iranian strikes concentrating on Gulf states, together with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, international locations which are key vitality suppliers and host massive Indian communities. PM Modi, in separate conversations, burdened the significance of restoring regional peace and thanked Gulf leaders for guaranteeing the well-being of Indians.Exterior affairs minister S Jaishankar additionally spoke to counterparts from all six GCC nations after hostilities escalated, underscoring India’s stakes in regional stability.India’s strategic engagement with the Gulf has deepened considerably over the previous decade, spanning vitality, defence, maritime safety and connectivity. This has coincided with a comparatively cautious method in direction of Tehran.
Previous voting file on Iran
India’s Iran coverage has shifted over time. Between 2005 and 2009, the Congress-led UPA authorities voted towards Iran on the Worldwide Atomic Power Company (IAEA) on three events throughout negotiations over the India-US civil nuclear settlement. In 2022, the NDA authorities abstained on an identical IAEA decision regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.
Political divide at residence
Sonia Gandhi argued that the assassination of a sitting head of state throughout ongoing negotiations marks a “grave rupture in modern worldwide relations” and stated India’s response raises “severe doubts” in regards to the credibility of its international coverage.The federal government has indirectly responded to her remarks. Formally, India maintains that it has constantly known as for peace and stability in MIddle East.With tensions escalating throughout the area following coordinated US-Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation, New Delhi’s public messaging stays measured, condemning assaults on its Gulf companions, avoiding direct touch upon Tehran’s management, and reiterating its place in favour of diplomacy.