India invited to funeral of Iran's former supreme leader; high-level representation under consideration
New Delhi: Iran has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the funeral of its former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, official sources confirmed on Monday. The invitation was extended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The funeral is scheduled to take place between July 4 and July 9. While Prime Minister Modi is unlikely to attend in person, the government is considering sending a high-level delegation to reaffirm the importance India places on its ties with Iran, sources said.
India and Iran share longstanding civilisational links, and in recent years have deepened cooperation on connectivity projects such as the Chabahar port. The government is keen to reassure Tehran of its commitment to these ties, especially in the context of regional tensions.
India had not explicitly condemned the military actions against Iran during the recent conflict, even as it denounced attacks on its Gulf neighbours. This careful balancing has defined India's approach to the region.
The decision on who will represent India is expected in the coming days, sources added. The event on July 3, a day before the funeral formally begins, may also see participation from other world leaders.
