India’s diplomatic double standards have been laid bare as it refused to back Iran during the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting, despite being a full member of the regional bloc. This unexpected move came in the wake of Israeli airstrikes on Iran, exposing New Delhi's opportunistic and inconsistent foreign policy.
While India frequently boasts of its civilizational values, respect for humanity, and commitment to sovereignty, its refusal to support Iran during a moment of crisis has painted a starkly different picture. The silence from New Delhi, even as Iranian civilians came under Israeli fire, is being seen as a betrayal of SCO principles and a stark display of self-interest.
The SCO, which includes countries like China, Russia, Iran, and several Central Asian states, issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s aggression as a violation of international law and a direct threat to regional and global peace. The declaration called Israel’s attack a breach of Iranian sovereignty and voiced concern over the targeting of civilian infrastructure and loss of innocent lives.
India’s refusal to back Iran has sparked criticism from analysts and observers across the region. Many see this as a move driven by arms deals and lobbying interests with Israel. By prioritizing economic and strategic gains over principles, India has undermined the very values it claims to uphold.
Critics argue that if India is unwilling to align with SCO's core values, it should reconsider its place within the organization. In a time when the world expected collective support for Iran under blatant foreign aggression, India chose silence, revealing where its loyalties truly lie.
