Iran's Khamenei urges India to adopt just policy towards Kashmiris, prevent oppression of Muslims

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday urged the India to prevent the oppression Muslims and adopt "a just policy" towards the people of Muslim-majority Indian Occupied Kashmir.

Khamenei, who made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his cabinet members in Tehran, said he was "concerned about Muslims' situation in Kashmir".

"We have good relations with the government of India. However, the government of India is expected to adopt a just policy with regard to the noble people of Kashmir, and prevent the oppression and bullying the people of this region," Khamenei said.

Khamenei slammed the policies of Britain, holding the former colonisers responsible for the Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India before Partition of the subcontinent in 1947.

"The present situation in Kashmir and the disputes between Pakistan and India regarding it is the result of the vicious British government's measures while retreating from the Indian subcontinent," he said.

"To prolong the conflict in Kashmir, the British intentionally left this wound open in the region," he said.

The disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since independence from Britain in 1947.

At least 4,000 people have been detained in Indian occupied Kashmir since early August when the Indian government imposed a communications blackout and restricted freedom of movement in the region.