New Delhi: A retired Indian Army officer and frequent television commentator, Major Gaurav Arya, has ignited controversy after making derogatory remarks about Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The comments were delivered in a video on Arya’s YouTube channel, Chanakya Dialogues, and have prompted a strong rebuke from the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi.

In the video, posted on May 8, Arya referred to Araghchi as a “son of a pig” and accused Iran of meddling in India’s internal affairs. The video, provocatively titled “Indian Army Strikes Back, Pakistan is Burning,” addressed increasing tensions between India and Pakistan and criticized Iran’s diplomatic efforts with both countries.

Arya accused Iran of siding with Pakistan based on shared religious ties, asserting that Iran intervened “because they are both Muslim countries.” During the broadcast, Arya displayed an image of Araghchi with the word “PIG” superimposed over it.

In response, the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi condemned Arya’s statements as offensive and culturally insensitive. An official statement from the embassy highlighted the importance of hospitality in Iranian culture, stating, “Respect for guests is a long-standing tradition in Iranian culture. We Iranians consider our guests to be ‘beloved by God.’ How about you?”

Despite the diplomatic fallout, Arya stood by his comments, asserting that he was merely “speaking the truth” and dismissing the likelihood of any official reprimand from the Indian government.