India’s Ministry of External Affairs has announced that India criticised comments made by Iran’s Supreme Leader regarding the treatment of its Muslim minority.
The remarks made by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a post on X were described as “misinformed and unacceptable”,.
While India and Iran generally maintain close ties, the nationalist Hindu government’s approach to minorities has occasionally led to tensions in the past.
“According to the Indian officials, Countries making comments on the situation of minorities are advised to examine their own history before commenting on others,”.
The sharp response came after Khamenei’s social media post on September 16, in which he wrote: ” 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”.
India and Iran generally maintain a strong relationship, bolstered by significant economic cooperation. In May, the two nations signed a 10-year agreement to develop and manage the Iranian port of Chabahar, located on Iran’s southeastern coast.
India is investing in the port to facilitate exports to Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, providing an alternative route that avoids the Pakistani ports of Karachi and Gwadar.
However, Khamenei has previously voiced criticism regarding the situation of Muslims in India and the conflict-ridden, Muslim-majority region of Kashmir.
Human rights organisations have claimed that discrimination against Muslims has worsened since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014.
India rejects Khamenei’s remarks on its treatment of Muslims as “misinformed,” urging Iran to reflect on its own record. 🚫🗣️