NEW DELHI: The Delhi riots seem to have caused a fullblown diplomatic crisis between India and Iran with the government summoning Iran’s ambassador to India Ali Chegeni and lodging a strong protest against remarks made by Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif on the violence.

The government conveyed to him that Zarif’s “selective and tendentious’’ characterisation of recent events in Delhi was not acceptable. “We don’t expect such comments from a country like Iran,” MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. Chegeni was also told that the minister had chosen to comment on a matter which was entirely internal to India.

The government seems to have been taken aback by what it saw as harsh and uncalled for condemnation of riots in Delhi which left 46 dead. Zarif had said in a tweet that Iran condemned the wave of “organised violence’’ against Indian Muslims. He had urged Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL (in all caps) Indians and to not let “senseless thuggery prevail”.

Indonesia too had raised concerns over the Delhi violence and described it as against all religious values. Its government though had tempered its condemnation by also stating that it was fully confident India would be able to manage the situation. Despite their strong “civilisational” ties and the stated commitment to work together for regional connectivity, Iran has in past few months repeatedly riled India with its criticism of the government’s Kashmir policy.

