India walks a Tightrope with US over Iranian General Issue

New Delhi: 

US President Donald Trump’s statements about Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in an airstrike in Baghdad on Friday, has left the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian Government in a diplomatic soup.

India with its silence on claims made by Trump, and by use diplomatic words on Soleimani’s death maintains a safe distance from any possible international debacle

President Trump had claimed that Soleimani was involved in a terrorist attack that happened in New Delhi. Trump was quoted as saying, ‘Soleimani made the death of innocent people his sick passion, contributing to terrorist plots as far away as New Delhi and London.’

While the US President Trump did not mention specifics of the attack, it is believed that he may have been referring to the attack on the car of Tal Yehoshua Koren, wife of Israel’s Defence Attaché to India in 2012.  The attack was carried out by placing a bomb on the car with a magnet.  The attack caused severe injuries to Tal Yehoshua Koren, who had to undergo a surgery. 

While India has never claimed that the attack on the Israeli diplomat’s wife had Soleimani’s hand. There were several media reports both national and international claiming Iran’s involvement in the incident. However, India never released an official statement.  

Even after this, India’s relations with Iran remained close. Iran continued to provide India with crude oil at a cheaper rate, and also engaged in other trades deals.  

In regards to the latest incident Iran might have expected India to condemn the assassination of its military general. However, New Delhi continued to hold its diplomatic position.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in their press release used diplomatic jargon avoiding any unprecedented situation upon Prime Minister Modi. 

The MEA press release titled – Killing of a senior Iranian leader by the US – read ‘We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the US. The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so.’

India avoided referring to Soleimani as ‘Military General’ or ‘Terror Mastermind’. The MEA described him as simply as a ‘senior Iranian leader’. Also, the Indian foreign ministry used the term ‘killed’ instead of ‘assassinated’. 

Speaking to thenews21 team, a senior MEA official said, “The press release on Soleimani’s death is a balanced statement of the Indian government. We released the statement as we have diplomatic relations with Iran.”

In regards to the US accepting India’s relations with Iran, New Delhi has recently deepened won some heart with Washington. In November 2018, the US granted a waiver to the Chabahar port from the sanctions it has imposed on Iran. In December of 2019, the US a written assurance to New Delhi that will help facilitate global banks to fund the purchase of equipment worth $85 million to be erected at Chabahar port which India is developing in Persian Gulf nation. The port holds a great strategic importance for New Delhi in developing regional maritime transit traffic to Afghanistan and Central Asia

Thus, if the Indian government had to dismiss the claim made by US President Trump, then the Washington would  have got offended. While on the other hand, if New Delhi had accepted the claims of Soleimani’s or Iran’s alleged role in the attack, then India would have roughed up Tehran.