India has conveyed its condolences to Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed hours after US-Israel airstrikes in Tehran on Sunday. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met the Iranian Ambassador in New Delhi and signed the condolence book, formally expressing India’s sympathies.
The move signals a subtle shift in New Delhi’s stance. India had not immediately condemned the airstrikes that led to Khamenei’s death and maintained silence despite strong demands from Opposition parties for an official statement. The Opposition highlighted India’s historically close ties with Iran and urged the government to respond more clearly.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi later addressed the broader regional situation, expressing concern over rising tensions in the Middle East. He reiterated that India supports dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred path to resolving international disputes.
India’s response mirrors that of the Group of Seven (G7) nations, none of which formally issued condolences. Analysts see India’s approach as an attempt to balance its strategic interests, given its ties with both Western powers and Iran.
India once sourced nearly 13 percent of its crude oil imports from Iran and maintained strong trade relations. However, economic engagement declined sharply after US sanctions were reimposed on Tehran following Washington’s withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.
