India-Iran relations face test following Delhi riots

Members of United Hindu Front hold placards as they burn an effigy of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a protest against the alleged remarks made by Khamenei on recent sectarian riots in India's capital, near Iran's embassy in New Delhi on March 7, 2020. PHOTO: AFP
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India and Iran have often called each other friends and continued to have high level exchanges over the years, despite unrelenting pressure by Washington on Delhi to cut back its exposure to the Islamic country.

But could ties between the two countries now see a marked decline following Teheran's strong comments asking India to protect its Muslim population after 53 people were killed in communal riots in Delhi?

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 13, 2020, with the headline India-Iran relations face test following Delhi riots. Subscribe