New Delhi, March 8 -- Former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar on Sunday criticised the Centre over its response to the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, saying that instead of expressing concern about the situation in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared to side with the United States and Israel.

Aiyar made these remarks at the condolence gathering organised at the India Islamic Cultural Centre to mourn the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"The whole world wants this conflict to end. The Global South is concerned about it. However, the Indian President or Prime Minister has not condemned this mass destruction. Instead of expressing disappointment, PM Modi is siding with Trump and Netanyahu,"...