Under Pakistani pressure, the Iranian Embassy in India removed posts thanking India and Kashmir on humanitarian help. The move has angered India and has become a diplomatic row.
What started as a thank you has now turned into a major diplomatic row. Amid the ongoing war in the Middle East, the Iranian Embassy in India deleted many of its posts on X. These posts clearly thanked “India” and “the generous people of Kashmir” for the humanitarian assistance. It is being told that these posts were removed after heavy criticism from the users of Pakistan.
A now-deleted post read: “We wholeheartedly thank the generous people of Kashmir for standing with the people of Iran with their humanitarian aid and heartfelt solidarity; this kindness will never be forgotten. Thank you, India.”
Another emotional post mentioned a widow’s sacrifice: “A respected sister from Kashmir donated the gold kept as a memento of her husband who passed away 28 years ago, with a heart full of love and solidarity for the people of Iran. Your tears and pure sentiments are the greatest support to the people of Iran and will never be forgotten.”
Within a few hours, both these posts disappeared without any reason.
Pakistan’s pressure, Tehran’s action
The reason for this is clearly visible. Pakistan’s social media users flooded the embassy’s posts with comments. He had objection to the fact that Kashmir was described as a part of India. Many stressed that this is a “disputed” area and that Iran should correct its words. Soon after, Embassy capitulated. Mentions of “India” and “Kashmir” not only disappeared from the deleted posts but were also removed from re-posted content. A video that was earlier ending with “Thank you #Kashmir. Thank you #India” was re-uploaded with a shorter caption:
“We will never forget your kindness.”
No mention of India. Not from Kashmir.
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Human stories become victims of geopolitics
In this diplomatic tussle, those people for whom Iran had thanked were left behind. In Jammu and Kashmir, especially around Eid-ul-Fitr, people donated generously—cash, jewellery, utensils, even cattle—to relief campaigns. The women gave away their valuables. The children donated their savings. And in an emotional moment, a widow even gave away the gold she had saved for nearly three decades. This wasn’t just for show—it was a very personal and emotional way of showing solidarity. But in the end, his passion also became a victim of political bargaining.
Anger in India, questions are being raised
There are strong reactions to the deletion of these posts in India. Many Indian users raised questions as to why the mention of India was silently removed. Some demanded the intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs in this matter. The silence on this matter from Iran’s side has further increased the uneasiness.
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Old pattern of India-Iran relations
This is not the first time that Tehran’s message on Kashmir has created uneasiness in India. Iran’s leadership has in the past also commented on issues related to Kashmir and Muslims in India, to which New Delhi has reacted strongly. In 2019, after the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked, Iran’s then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly expressed concern over the situation of Muslims in the region. After this, India gave a sharp reaction by summoning the then Iranian Ambassador Ali Chegeni. This sequence did not stop here. In 2020, Khamenei also commented on the north-east Delhi riots. Recently, in 2024, he again mentioned Muslims in India, when he was talking about the “oppression of the Ummah”. However, despite all this, the two countries have maintained working relations, especially in the fields of energy and regional connectivity. But incidents like this highlight a recurring tension: public rhetoric versus strategic partnerships.
Pakistan’s diplomacy intensifies amid tensions in West Asia
Meanwhile, Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif has intensified his diplomatic efforts amid the growing crisis. He spoke to Mohammed bin Salman and reiterated Islamabad’s support for Riyadh while emphasizing the need to ease tensions. “I also informed His Royal Highness about Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for regional peace and stability. We agreed to remain in close coordination. I stressed the urgent need to de-escalate tensions,” Sharif said.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, he “reiterated Pakistan’s full support and commitment to standing firmly with the Kingdom against Iran’s repeated attacks, which threaten its security and sovereignty.”
All this is happening when Pakistan is presenting itself as a mediator. Amid heightened conflict following US and Israel’s joint attacks on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation in the Gulf, Pakistan is offering to host US-Iran talks, facilitate backchannel talks and engage with key players including the UAE, UK and China.