A recent post on X (formerly Twitter) by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sparked diplomatic tensions between Iran and India. Khamenei, in a message promoting global Muslim solidarity, drew comparisons between the ‘sufferings’ of Indian Muslims and those in Gaza. This statement has prompted a strong response from the Indian government.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released an official statement, branding Khamenei’s remarks as “unacceptable.” The statement urged Iran’s Supreme Leader to reflect upon his own country’s treatment of minorities. “We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the Supreme Leader of Iran,” the MEA stated. “Countries that comment on minority issues should reflect on their own practices before criticizing others.”
Khamenei’s message, posted on the occasion of Prophet Mohammed’s birth anniversary, focused on the plight of Muslims in Gaza, Myanmar, and India. While he did not elaborate on specific reasons for mentioning India, he emphasized the shared identity of the Islamic Ummah and the duty to support oppressed Muslims globally. “The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. 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,” Khamenei wrote on X.
This is not the first time Khamenei has expressed concern about the status of India’s Muslim minority. In August 2019, he publicly voiced his worry over India’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, highlighting the perceived plight of Muslims in the region. He had called for a fair policy towards Kashmir’s residents and urged India to prevent the oppression of Muslims, while acknowledging the good relations between the two nations. “We’re concerned about Muslims’ situation in #Kashmir. We have good relations with India, but we expect the Indian government to adopt a just policy towards the noble people of Kashmir and prevent the oppression & bullying of Muslims in this region,” Khamenei had stated on Twitter.
The recent exchange highlights the complex and evolving relationship between Iran and India. While both nations have historically maintained cordial ties, recent events, particularly concerning the treatment of minorities, have introduced new challenges. Khamenei’s comments and India’s response underscore the sensitive nature of religious and political issues in the region and the potential for these matters to strain diplomatic relations.
