Diplomatic activity between India and Iran has seen a significant surge over the past 24 hours. On Friday, March 6, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Khatibzadeh on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. This meeting marks the third high-level interaction between the diplomats of the two nations within a single day. While specific details of the discussion have not been officially released, the meeting is viewed as a critical step in maintaining bilateral communication amidst escalating regional tensions.
Three High-Level Contacts Within 24 Hours
The sequence of diplomatic engagements began on Thursday when External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while following this, on March 5, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi. According to officials, the Foreign Secretary attended a condolence meeting organized for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and signed the condolence book. These consecutive interactions at the ministerial and secretarial levels underscore the frequency of communication between New Delhi and Tehran during the current geopolitical climate.
Khatibzadeh Criticizes US Administration and Trump
During his stay in New Delhi, Deputy Foreign Minister Khatibzadeh addressed the media and launched a sharp critique of the US administration's policies, while he specifically targeted Donald Trump's remarks regarding the selection of Iran's Supreme Leader. Khatibzadeh questioned how an individual who can't select the Mayor of New York could comment on the selection of Iran's Supreme Leader. He described the US approach as 'colonial,' noting the contradiction in advocating for democracy while simultaneously seeking to remove Iran's democratically elected President.
Response to the Sinking of IRIS Dena
The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister also commented on the sinking of the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean. He described the incident as a deeply tragic and unfortunate event. Khatibzadeh clarified that the ship was empty and carried no weaponry at the time of the incident. He expressed profound grief over the loss of several young Iranian sailors who were participating in naval exercises. According to his statement, the loss of life among the naval personnel is a significant tragedy for the Iranian maritime forces.
India's Official Stance and PM Modi's Statement
India has maintained a neutral position regarding the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, consistently expressing concern over the escalation of hostilities, while following Iranian actions involving countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in discussions with the heads of those states. On Thursday, during a press conference, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's stance, stating that military conflict can't resolve any problem. India continues to advocate for diplomacy and dialogue as the primary means to address international disputes and ensure regional stability.