New Delhi: India on Thursday condoled the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conveying New Delhi’s message of sympathy during a visit to the Iranian Embassy in the national capital.
Misri signed the condolence book on behalf of the Government of India and interacted with Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali. The Ministry of External Affairs also released photographs of the visit and the meeting between the foreign secretary and the Iranian envoy.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on February 28, targeting key Iranian leadership positions amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
India had earlier called for resolving the crisis in West Asia through dialogue and diplomacy but had not issued an immediate reaction to Khamenei’s killing.
Misri’s visit to the Iranian Embassy assumed significance as several opposition parties had criticised the government for remaining silent on the death of the Iranian leader in the days following the incident.
The condolence gesture is seen as part of India’s diplomatic outreach while maintaining its stated position of supporting de-escalation and peaceful resolution of the conflict in the region.
