Our Bureau
New Delhi
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the state funeral and burial ceremonies of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking a significant diplomatic outreach between the two countries at a time of political transition in Iran. The invitation was conveyed through diplomatic channels, according to sources.
The funeral ceremonies for Khamenei are scheduled to begin in July, with events planned across multiple Iranian cities. Reports said the ceremonies will start on July 4, with major tributes expected in Tehran and Qom before the final burial ceremony in Mashhad, Khamenei’s hometown.
India has not yet announced the level of representation it will send for the funeral. The invitation comes as Iran prepares for a major leadership transition following Khamenei’s death, which ended his decades-long tenure as the country’s highest authority.
Khamenei, who served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for 36 years, was a key figure in the country’s political system and foreign policy. His death has led to international attention, with several countries expected to participate in the official mourning ceremonies.
The invitation to Prime Minister Modi also highlights the importance of India-Iran relations, which have traditionally focused on areas such as trade, energy cooperation and connectivity projects. One of the key areas of cooperation has been the development of the Chabahar Port, which provides India a strategic route for connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
India and Iran have maintained diplomatic engagement despite changing regional dynamics. Prime Minister Modi and Iranian President Pezeshkian had earlier interacted during international forums, including the BRICS Summit in Kazan in 2024.
The funeral invitation comes amid wider geopolitical developments in West Asia, where India has sought to maintain diplomatic engagement with multiple partners while emphasizing regional stability.
