Like Iran, India too mourns Soleimani assassination: Javad Zarif

NEW DELHI: Indians, like Iranians, have mourned the assassination of Qassem Soleimani with spontaneous protests breaking out in 430 Indian cities, declared Javad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister at the Raisina Dialogue here today.
“Soleimani was the single biggest threat to ISIS; it is now celebrating his killing," Zarif said. "The US didn't like General Soleimani, although he was the single most effective force against Daesh.If you don't believe me, see they are celebrating. Who is celebrating the death of Soleimani? Not the ordinary people, but Trump, Pompeo and Daesh," Zarif added.
Zarif met NSA Ajit Doval here today and is supposed to meet his counterpart Jaishankar tomorrow. He is also expected to call on the Prime Minister, before proceeding to Mumbai to meet business groups.
Indian government sources confirmed a few demonstrations in Lucknow and Kargil only. “The US says we have proxies. Where are our proxies in India?” Zarif asked.
Accusing the US of "ignorance and arrogance" Zarif, who made the most of the platform provided by the dialogue, said the US was fuelling “mayhem” in the region. US officials have stressed they had clear indications that Soleimani was planning attacks against American interests.
Describing the shooting down of the Ukrainian airline as "unforgivable”, Zarif said, "the accidental shooting happened because there was a crisis. People made unforgivable mistakes." Calling for a new coalition against ISIS, Zarif said, “the current coalition used the basis of the coalition to kill the most effective anti-Daesh general.”
Zarif defended the resolution passed by the Iraqi parliament that sought removal of all foreign troops from Iraq. "The US hit two bases in Iraq to carry out operations in Iraq against an Iraqi guest. It was an unprovoked attack inside Iraq’s territory,” he said.
After the Europeans activated the dispute settlement mechanism of the JCPOA, Zarif said he was uncertain that the deal would survive at all. "It depends on Europe whether the JCPOA will remain in place after the activation of the dispute resolution mechanism by France, Germany and the United Kingdom."
Meanwhile, the US says talks with Iran are on the table, but Zarif clarified today that while diplomacy was open, Iran would not talk to the US.