India has expressed support for Iran’s recent strikes on alleged terror camps in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province, characterizing it as an act of “self-defence.” The endorsement comes in the wake of Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) launching missiles at bases purportedly belonging to the Jaish al-Adl terror group. This move triggered a strong diplomatic protest from Islamabad.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on January 17, emphasizing that while the issue primarily concerns Iran and Pakistan, India maintains an “uncompromising” position on terrorism. The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, underscored India’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism, stating, “We understand actions that countries take in their self-defence.”The diplomatic maneuver by India reflects a nuanced position, acknowledging the bilateral nature of the issue while aligning with the broader stance against terrorism. This comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the region and underscores India’s commitment to counter-terrorism efforts. Importantly, the MEA refrained from commenting on Iran’s strikes in Kurdish areas in Iraq and Syria, which occurred concurrently with the Balochistan operation. The Indian government’s selective silence on these actions emphasizes a careful and calibrated response, keeping the focus on the specific Iran-Pakistan context.
