India has called for restraint between the US and Iran following the Pentagon attack, which killed Iran's General Qasem Soleimani. The United States moved to the brink of war with Iran this morning, after President Trump ordered Soleimani's “killing” following a pro-Iran mob this week that laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad.
India is Iran's oldest ally with respect to oil-trade and infrastructure developments around Chabahar port. While oil prices witnessed a bump globally, with Brent Crude Futures suring over 3 per cent in the forex market, the rupee also depreciated to a one-month low of Rs 71.61 against the US dollar. Oil-related stocks, too, declined at the bourses. Oil-marketing firms Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), Reliance Industries and Indian Oil Corporation all saw a dip in their prices.
Now, the Indian government has urged that the "vital that the situation does not escalate further" and called for restraint between the two countries.
"We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the US. The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so," the government said in a statement.
Soleimani was killed at midnight after two missiles were fired from a MQ9 Reaper drone hitting the head of the Iranian al-Quds Force and the mastermind of Tehran’s military strategy across the Middle East, shortly after he disembarked from an aircraft at Baghdad airport.
After the attack, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of "severe revenge", vowing that "God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped".
The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced that General Soleimani would be replaced by his deputy, Major-General Esmail Ghaani, while President Rouhani promised to take revenge on a “heinous crime”.
