India on Friday voted against a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) calling for increased scrutiny of the human rights situation
in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The resolution sought to address what sponsors termed a "deteriorating" human rights situation in Iran. India's vote placed it among a minority of countries rejecting the measure, like Pakistan and China, which opposed what they described as a "selective and politically driven initiative". In the resolution - adopted by a vote of 25 in favour, 7 against and 14 abstentions - the UNHRC strongly deplored the violent crackdown of peaceful protests resulting in the deaths of thousands of persons, including children, and large numbers of injured individuals, as well as the arrest of thousands in connection with the nationwide protests that started on December 28. "The UNHRC adopted the resolution in which it extended the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran for two years, and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran for one year. The resolution also called for an urgent investigation by the Fact-Finding Mission, in the context of the repression of nationwide protests beginning 28 December 2025," read a statement issued by the UNHRC. "It urged the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respect, protect and fulfil its human rights obligations and to take all measures necessary to stop and prevent extrajudicial killing, other forms of arbitrary deprivation of life, enforced disappearance, sexual and gender-based violence, arbitrary arrest and detention, incommunicado detention and torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including against peaceful protesters," it added. It is said that India's position is because of its long opposition to country-specific resolutions, which it believes are selective and unlikely to foster constructive engagement. Also Read: Why An ‘Unstable’ Iran Is a Geopolitical Test India Did Not Want
Iran thanks India
In a post on social media platform X, Iran's ambassador to India expressed gratitude over New Delhi's stand at the UNHRC session.
Ambassador Mohammad Fathali said, “I extend my sincere gratitude to the Government of India for its principled and firm support of Islamic Republic of Iran at the UNHRC, including opposing an unjust and politically motivated resolution. This stance reflects India's commitment to justice, multilateralism, and national sovereignty.”
Noting that the history of the relationship and collaboration between Iran and India dates back hundreds of years before the emergence of Islam, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, the Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader, said that Indian philosophical texts were studied in Iran. He said India's achievements in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine were studied in Iran and people of Iran have always learned about the relationship between the two ancient civilisations.
Also Read: 'A New Chapter Awaits': Why Iran’s Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi Has India In His Post-Regime Vision
"Even at the university, we studied philosophical books of India, and in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, we were also using your civilisation, your knowledge, and we always learned through our schools the relationship between Iran and India," he added.
The demonstrations, which began in late December in Iran left at least 4,519 dead, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
(With agency inputs)
