'Look At Own Record': India Slams Iran Supreme Leader's 'Minorities' Remark

New Delhi: India on Monday issued a strong condemnation of recent remarks by Iran’s Supreme Leader about minorities in the country, terming the statement ‘misinformed and unacceptable.’ 

"We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the Supreme Leader of Iran. These are misinformed and unacceptable. Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others", the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.  

The ministry also urged nations that comment on the treatment of minorities to review their own records before criticizing others. “Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others,” the MEA added.

Taking to X, Khamenei emphasized that a genuine Islamic identity involves recognizing these struggles and calling for unity within the Muslim community. 

“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,” he wrote.

This was not the first time Khamenei has commented on minorities in India. In 2019, he responded to the Indian government's decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, expressing concern for the situation of Muslims in the region.

“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,” he had stated.

Recently, India and Iran have strengthened their partnership by signing a significant long-term agreement to operate the Shahid-Beheshti Port Terminal.

This deal, which was observed by ministers from both countries, highlights the strategic importance of the Chabahar port pact. The agreement aims to enhance regional connectivity and streamline trade routes between India, Iran, and Afghanistan, offering an alternative to traditional routes that pass through Pakistan .

India and Iran have a rich history of interactions spanning millennia. Today, their relations are characterized by high-level exchanges, commercial cooperation, connectivity initiatives, and deep cultural and people-to-people ties.