Portrait of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Narendra Modi

Subject of criticism (strong)

TL;DR

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government policies, particularly regarding Kashmir and Indian Muslims.

Key Points

  • He urged India to adopt a "right policy" on Kashmir after the Modi administration revoked Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.

  • Following the 2020 riots over the Citizenship Amendment Act, he warned that India could face isolation from the Islamic world.

  • India strongly condemned a September 2024 remark where he grouped India alongside other nations, describing the statement as ignorant and unacceptable.

Summary

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei frequently expressed a negative position toward the administration led by Narendra Modi, primarily focusing on domestic Indian policies that he perceived as detrimental to Muslims. He urged the Muslim world to support the oppressed Muslims of Kashmir following India's 2019 decision to revoke Article 370. Furthermore, Khamenei intervened after the 2020 riots over the Citizenship Amendment Act, warning that India could face isolation from the Islamic world and describing the violence as a massacre of Muslims. He also once referred to Hindus as extremists in a social media post while calling for confrontation against them, adding to the tension with the Indian government.

The Indian government's response to Khamenei's criticism, especially concerning Kashmir, involved summoning the Iranian ambassador to register strong displeasure over his unsolicited comments. While the Supreme Leader of Iran criticized the Prime Minister's policies, the current Indian government prioritized its geopolitical and economic national interests, choosing not to overtly side with Iran when its interests clashed with Gulf Arab states. This strategic calculation shaped the relationship, leading to a tense dynamic where one side frequently voiced strong condemnations of the other's actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's position on Narendra Modi has been largely critical, centering on India's treatment of its Muslim population and the status of Kashmir. He publicly urged India to change its policy on Kashmir following the 2019 constitutional changes. The Supreme Leader framed his stance through the lens of protecting oppressed Muslims within India.

The available information suggests a consistently critical stance from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei regarding the Modi government's policies on religious minorities and Kashmir. His interventions occurred across different years, focusing on specific events like the CAA riots and Article 370 revocation. There is no clear evidence of an evolution toward a more positive or neutral view over time.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei specifically urged India to adopt what he termed the "right policy" regarding Kashmir after the Modi government unilaterally revoked Article 370. This intervention in what India considers an internal matter prompted a strong diplomatic response from New Delhi. He framed his concern as being for the "oppressed Muslims of Kashmir."