“If Iran seeks to meddle in domestic Indian politics by creating disaffection among the Shias of Uttar Pradesh, what better way to counter that by reminding all concerned that while the Shias maybe an important vote bank in U.P., they constitute only 10 per cent of Indian Muslims, while the Sunnis account for an overwhelming 90 per cent.”

Indian political commentator and policy analyst

Sanjaya Baru is an Indian political commentator and policy analyst. He served in senior public and institutional roles, including as media advisor and chief spokesperson in the Prime Minister's Office under Manmohan Singh from 2004 to 2008. He later served as Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry until his resignation in April 2018, and before that was Director for Geo-Economics and Strategy at the International Institute of Strategic Studies. His work sits at the intersection of politics, policy, and economics.