The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes has triggered sharp debate in India. The opposition has demanded a formal government statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has avoided direct comment on the killing.
Instead, he stressed dialogue and diplomacy. Speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Modi called the West Asia situation a grave concern. He said India stands for peace and stability.
No G7 democracy issued condolences. US President Donald Trump called Khamenei “one of the most evil people in history.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said justice had been served. Similar reactions came from leaders in Argentina, Australia, France, and Ukraine.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs urged restraint and de-escalation. Officials also noted Khamenei’s past remarks on Kashmir, the Citizenship Amendment Act, and the 2020 Delhi riots. Each episode prompted diplomatic protests from New Delhi.
India has balanced ties with Iran, Israel, and Gulf states for decades. After the US exited the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018, India sharply reduced Iranian oil imports due to sanctions.
Analysts say India’s calibrated silence reflects strategic caution rather than indifference.
