India has stopped short of condemning the reported assassination of Ali Khamenei, even as it criticised Iranian strikes on Gulf nations and called for restraint and de-escalation in West Asia.
The government’s calibrated response has triggered sharp political reactions domestically. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi described the silence as an “abdication” rather than neutrality. Writing in The Indian Express, she argued that failing to clearly condemn the killing signals “tacit endorsement” and urged a parliamentary debate on the issue.
Government’s Stand: Strategic Restraint
The Ministry of External Affairs has confined its official remarks to calls for “restraint, dialogue and de-escalation.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with leaders from Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Jordan. During these conversations, he condemned attacks on their territories and emphasised the safety of nearly 10 million Indians living in the region.
New Delhi has neither condemned the alleged US-Israel strikes that reportedly killed Khamenei nor issued condolences. Government sources suggest that India’s position is guided by national interest — particularly energy security, diaspora welfare, and strategic partnerships across the Gulf.
Khamenei’s Past Remarks on India
Over the years, Khamenei had publicly commented on several of India’s internal matters, often prompting diplomatic protests from New Delhi.
In 2017, he called upon the Muslim world to support what he termed “oppressed Muslims of Kashmir.” Following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, he urged India to adopt a “just policy” on Kashmir, leading the MEA to summon the Iranian envoy.
During debates around the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in January 2020, Iranian leaders criticised the legislation as discriminatory — comments India rejected as interference in domestic affairs.
In March 2020, amid the Delhi riots, Khamenei posted on social media urging India to “confront extremist Hindus” and warning of isolation from the Islamic world, again drawing a strong diplomatic response from New Delhi.
As recently as September 2024, he referenced India alongside Myanmar and Gaza in a social media post, prompting the MEA to call the remarks “misinformed and unacceptable.”
Strategic Gulf Calculations
India’s strongest condemnations have been directed at Iranian strikes targeting Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE — crucial energy suppliers and hosts to a vast Indian diaspora.
PM Modi, in separate calls, highlighted the importance of restoring stability in the region and thanked Gulf leaders for safeguarding Indian citizens. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also reached out to counterparts from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries following the escalation.
Over the past decade, India has significantly expanded its engagement with Gulf nations in areas such as energy, defence, maritime security and connectivity — while maintaining a cautious and pragmatic approach toward Tehran.
India’s Iran Policy Over Time
India’s diplomatic posture on Iran has evolved. Between 2005 and 2009, the Congress-led UPA government voted against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency during negotiations over the India-US civil nuclear agreement.
More recently, in 2022, the NDA government abstained on an IAEA resolution concerning Iran’s nuclear programme, reflecting a nuanced and interest-driven foreign policy.
As geopolitical tensions intensify in West Asia, India’s silence on Khamenei’s reported death appears rooted less in endorsement and more in a balancing act shaped by history, diplomacy and strategic priorities.
