New Delhi, India: On Tuesday, Iran launched a missile and drone attack on the headquarters of the Jaish al-Adl terrorist group located in Pakistan, in what it called a “decisive step taken by Iran in response to the aggression against the security of our country.” The strikes killed at least 7 people, including 4 children and 3 women, according to Pakistan, and have further strained tensions between the neighboring countries.
India on Wednesday said that Iran’s attack on Pakistan is an issue that “concerns only those two nations.” None of our business – in other words.
It’s worth noting that Iran attacked Pakistan on the same day Indian FM Dr. S. Jaishankar visited the country.
India, which maintains close economic and strategic ties with Iran, has adopted a cautious stance on the cross-border attack. In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said “This is a matter between Iran and Pakistan. Insofar as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self-defense.”
The brief statement indicates New Delhi’s desire to remain neutral in the conflict between the two countries. India recognizes both nations’ rights to self-defense against terrorist threats within their borders. However, it also acknowledges that cross-border military action raises sovereignty issues and risks escalating tensions.
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Pakistan strongly condemned the attack, with its foreign ministry calling it an “unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran … inside Pakistani territory.” It recalled its ambassador from Tehran in protest and warned of “serious consequences” if such actions were repeated. Iran maintains the strikes targeted a terrorist group responsible for a recent attack inside Iran. However, Pakistan argues the location hit was nearly 1,000 km inside its borders, well beyond any reasonable self-defense justification.
The incident has further strained already tense relations between Iran and Pakistan, which have clashed over militant groups operating along their porous border in recent years. It also comes amid wider tensions in the region after the US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and retaliatory Iranian strikes on US bases in Iraq in January. China, which maintains good ties with both countries, has urged restraint and a de-escalation of tensions.
India’s Neutral Stance
For India, its neutral stance avoids antagonizing either neighbor. However, it also does not set any clear “red lines” about the acceptability of cross-border strikes. New Delhi will be hoping the issue can be resolved through diplomatic means between Iran and Pakistan to prevent a greater military escalation that could destabilize the region. But it remains ready to work with international partners to prevent any terrorist threats within the region.
