India Sends High-Level Delegation to Khamenei Funeral in Tehran
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain attended the funeral ceremony of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Friday, July 3, 2026. The two officials paid respects on behalf of the Government and the people of India.
Khamenei, who had led Iran for nearly three decades, was killed on February 28, 2026, during the first day of large-scale U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Tehran. His funeral drew leaders and dignitaries from around the world.
Minister Margherita posted on X: "Hon'ble @GovernorBihar and I represented India at the funeral ceremony for Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, former Supreme Leader of Iran, in Tehran. Conveyed our respects on behalf of the Government and the people of India. @PMOIndia @MEAIndia." He also shared photographs of the ceremony.
The Bihar Governor's office posted: "Represented India at the funeral ceremony of His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in Tehran today, along with MoS External Affairs @PmargheritaBJP. Also extended deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent conflict. @MEAIndia @atahasnain53."
The Embassy of Iran in India shared visuals of Mr. Hasnain and Mr. Margherita offering respects at the ceremony, stating: "The Special Representatives of the Government of the Republic of India, Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain and Mr. Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs, paid tribute to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran." In a separate post, the embassy noted that a delegation of Indian religious leaders also paid tribute.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the funeral. Former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid is representing the Congress party at the event.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the Indian delegation, saying, "As far as the government of India is concerned, we issued a press statement ... Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) and along with him Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, they are in Tehran today to represent India there ... for Iran's late Supreme Leader's."
The Ministry of External Affairs released a statement on July 2, 2026, saying: "The high-level representation in the ceremony underscores the importance of civilizational ties, including people-to-people connection, between the two countries, providing a robust foundation to political and economic engagements."
According to Iran's state-run media, the main funeral procession in Tehran is scheduled for July 6, followed by ceremonies in the holy city of Qom on July 7, and burial in Khamenei's hometown of Mashhad on July 9.
