India news: Indian delegation leaves for Khamenei’s funeral

Governor of the Indian state of Bihar, Syed Ata ​Hasnain, and Deputy Foreign Minister Pabitra ⁠Margherita left for Iran, where they will be officially representing India at the state funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali ​Khamenei.

Other Indian dignitaries, including former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and Congress Party leader Salman Khurshid, paid tribute to the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ahead of the formal state funeral in Tehran.

Mufti shared a video in a post on X and said, “An honour for me to be here in Tehran to express my deepest condolences & solidarity on the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei.”

In a statement on Thursday, the Indian Foreign Ministry said that Pabitra Margherita and Syed Ata Hasnain would visit the Islamic Republic of Iran on July 3 to attend the Khamenei.

“The high-level representation in the ceremony underscores the importance of civilisational ties, including people-to-people connection, between the two countries, providing a robust foundation to political and economic engagements,” the ministry statement said.

In addition to the delegation, Iran has invited several other dignitaries, including leaders from the opposition Congress Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and leaders from Indian-administered Kashmir.

Iran had also invited Modi, but he won’t be taking part as he is scheduled to leave for a three-nation tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand on Monday.

Good morning! This is Midhat from the New Delhi Bureau, bringing you the latest developments from and about India.

Several prominent political figures from India are heading to Iran to attend the state funeral of its slain Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali ​Khamenei. The Indian delegation has departed for the official burial ceremony in Tehran.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is in the capital on the second day of her three-day visit to India.

On Thursday, she and her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, signed several agreements to boost cooperation between India and Japan. The agreements involved heavy investments in artificial intelligence, defense and the energy sector. The pair have also agreed to upgrade their economic partnership.

Following Takaichi’s visit, the Indian leader will turn his attention to his upcoming trip to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand next week. 

Stay tuned as we bring you all this and more.