Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita will represent India at the funeral ceremonies of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in Tehran next month, according to Iranian sources.
The two leaders are expected to attend the ceremonies on behalf of the Government of India following a formal invitation extended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Iranian sources said the Indian delegation would officially represent New Delhi during the state funeral for Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28 this year.
According to Iranian state media Press TV, the funeral ceremonies will be held on July 4 and 5 in Tehran and are expected to attract one of the largest public gatherings in the country’s history.
The farewell ceremony will begin on July 4 at the Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds, followed by funeral prayers on the morning of July 5. Authorities have planned a large-scale funeral procession across Tehran, with extensive security, transport and public service arrangements in place.
Iranian officials said the city’s metro and bus services would operate at full capacity, while healthcare teams, municipal authorities, security agencies and volunteers have been mobilised to manage the event. Attendance is expected to range between 12 million and 20 million people.
Following Khamenei’s death, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of Iran.
— Agencies
