India Responds Strongly After Iranian Leader Criticizes Treatment of Muslims: India strongly responded to comments by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, regarding the treatment of Muslims in India. Khamenei’s comments, made on social media, criticized the supposed suffering of Muslims in various countries, including India. India’s Ministry of External Affairs labeled the remarks as “misinformed and unacceptable,” asserting that countries commenting on minority issues should first examine their own records.
Despite generally strong relations, including a ten year contract to develop Iran’s Chabahar port, India and Iran have had tensions over India’s treatment of its Muslim minority, particularly in Kashmir. Human rights groups have charged India’s government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of fostering an environment that has increased attacks on Muslims, hate speech, and discriminatory policies.
The disputed Citizenship Amendment Act, which grants citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries, has drawn criticism for being anti-Muslim. While Khamenei’s comments sparked backlash from India, critics note Iran itself faces allegations of discrimination against its ethnic and religious minorities.