Indian delegation to attend Khamenei funeral

Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain are likely to represent India at the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei, according to people familiar with the matter.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week to attend the six-day State funeral programme to be held across Tehran, Qom and Mashhad. While New Delhi is yet to formally announce the composition of its delegation, it is unlikely that the PM will attend the ceremonies.

Sources said Margherita and Hasnain are expected to represent the Government of India at the main funeral events in Tehran on July 4. Hasnain, one of the few members of the Shia community 
currently serving in a constitutional office, is seen as an appropriate choice for the high-level delegation.

India’s participation is expected to underscore New Delhi’s continued engagement with Tehran at a time of shifting geopolitical equations in West Asia. The evolving understanding between Iran and the United States, alongside efforts to stabilise the region, has raised expectations of a possible easing of sanctions on Iranian oil exports and renewed momentum for the development of the strategically important Chabahar Port.