Tue Sep 17 03:59:03 UTC 2024: ## India Rejects Iran’s Supreme Leader’s Criticism of Muslim Treatment
**New Delhi, India** – India has strongly condemned comments made by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei regarding the treatment of Muslims in India, calling his remarks “misinformed and unacceptable.”
Khamenei, in a social media post on Monday, expressed concern over the plight of Muslims in various parts of the world, including India, stating that “we cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring.”
In response, India’s foreign ministry issued a statement expressing its “strong disapproval” of Khamenei’s comments, adding that “countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others.”
The exchange comes amidst a backdrop of generally positive relations between the two nations. In May, India and Iran signed a 10-year contract to develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar, a key project for India’s trade access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
However, Khamenei has previously criticized India over its treatment of Indian Muslims and the situation in the disputed Kashmir region.
The latest statement from India highlights a potential strain in the relationship between the two countries. It remains to be seen how this diplomatic spat will impact the future of their strategic partnership.
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