India's Measured Response to Iran Leader's Assassination Fuels Political Controversy
India has adopted a nuanced diplomatic position by refraining from condemning the assassination of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, even as it has openly criticized Iranian military strikes targeting Gulf countries. The government has consistently called for restraint, dialogue, and de-escalation in the volatile West Asia region. This calibrated approach has ignited sharp political reactions domestically, with Congress Parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi labeling the administration's silence as an "abdication" rather than a stance of neutrality.
Government's Official Stance and Gulf Outreach
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has publicly limited its position to urging "restraint, dialogue and de-escalation" amid escalating tensions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has engaged in high-level conversations with leaders across the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Jordan. In these discussions, he condemned attacks on their territories and emphasized the safety of the nearly 10 million Indian expatriates residing in the area.
Notably, India has not issued a formal condemnation of the US-Israel strikes that reportedly resulted in Khamenei's death, nor has it extended official condolences. Government sources indicate that sovereign responses are strategically guided by national interests, encompassing critical factors such as energy security, diaspora welfare, and deepening strategic partnerships in the Gulf region.
Historical Context of Diplomatic Frictions
Ali Khamenei had a history of commenting on India's internal affairs over the past decade, leading to repeated diplomatic protests from New Delhi. Key incidents include:
- 2017: Khamenei called on the Muslim world to support what he described as "oppressed Muslims of Kashmir."
- August 2019: Following the abrogation of Article 370, he publicly urged India to adopt a "just policy" on Kashmir, prompting the MEA to summon the Iranian envoy.
- January 2020: During debates over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Iran's parliament speaker criticized the law as "anti-Muslim discrimination," remarks India rejected as interference.
- March 2020: Amid the Delhi riots, Khamenei tweeted that India should "confront extremist Hindus," described the violence as a "massacre of Muslims," and warned of "isolation from the world of Islam," using the hashtag #IndianMuslimsInDanger. The MEA again summoned the Iranian ambassador.
- September 2024: Khamenei placed India alongside Myanmar and Gaza in a social media post, drawing an official response from the MEA deeming the remarks "misinformed and unacceptable."
Strategic Alignment with Gulf Priorities
India's sharper condemnation has been directed at Iranian strikes targeting Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which are pivotal energy suppliers and host substantial Indian communities. PM Modi, in separate dialogues, stressed the imperative of restoring regional peace and expressed gratitude to Gulf leaders for safeguarding the well-being of Indian nationals.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also engaged with counterparts from all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations after hostilities escalated, highlighting India's vested interests in regional stability. Over the past decade, India's strategic engagement with the Gulf has deepened significantly, spanning energy, defence, maritime security, and connectivity initiatives, coinciding with a more cautious approach towards Tehran.
Evolution of India's Iran Policy
India's stance on Iran has evolved over time. Between 2005 and 2009, the Congress-led UPA government voted against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on three occasions during negotiations for the India-US civil nuclear agreement. In 2022, the NDA government abstained on a similar IAEA resolution concerning Iran's nuclear programme, reflecting shifting diplomatic priorities.
Domestic Political Divide Intensifies
Sonia Gandhi, in an opinion piece published in The Indian Express, argued that the assassination of a sitting head of state during ongoing negotiations represents a "grave rupture in contemporary international relations." She contended that India's lack of a clear response "signals tacit endorsement of this tragedy" and called for a parliamentary discussion, raising "serious doubts" about the credibility of the nation's foreign policy.
The government has not directly addressed her remarks. Officially, India maintains that it has consistently advocated for peace and stability in the Middle East. As tensions escalate across the region following coordinated US-Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation, New Delhi's public messaging remains measured—condemning attacks on its Gulf partners, avoiding direct commentary on Tehran's leadership, and reiterating its commitment to diplomatic resolutions.
