Congress Leader Salman Khurshid to Attend Ayatollah Khamenei's Funeral, Says Will Represent Party
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid has confirmed that he will attend the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following an invitation from Tehran. In a statement, Khurshid said he would represent the Indian National Congress at the ceremony.
The announcement comes a day after the Iranian government extended an official invitation to the Congress party. Khurshid, who served as India's External Affairs Minister from 2011 to 2014, has longstanding ties with Iranian leadership and has visited the country several times.
While details of the funeral have not been officially released by Iranian authorities, the participation of a senior Indian political figure underscores the diplomatic significance of the event. The Congress party has had historical relations with Iran, particularly during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Khurshid's decision to accept the invitation is seen as a gesture of solidarity with the Iranian people. However, it also comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with Iran facing international scrutiny over its nuclear program and regional activities.
The Indian government has not yet commented on the matter. Indian diplomatic missions are expected to coordinate with local authorities for the funeral arrangements.
As the news spreads, political analysts are watching for reactions from other Indian parties and the central government, which maintains a delicate balance in its ties with both Iran and Western nations.
