India to send minister, governor to Ali Khamenei funeral

New Delhi: India said ​on Thursday that ​its deputy foreign minister and ​a state governor would represent the country at the state funeral of Iran's ‌former Supreme ⁠Leader ⁠Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Governor of Bihar, Syed ​Ata Hasnain, and deputy foreign minister Pabitra Margherita ​will visit Iran on July 03, the Indian foreign ministry said ​in a statement.


"The high-level ⁠representation in ‌the ceremony underscores ​the importance ​of civilizational ties, including ⁠people-to-people connection, between the two countries, ​providing a robust foundation to ​political and economic engagements," it said.

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Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for 36 years and was a fierce critic of Washington, was ‌killed on February 28 - the day the U.S. and Israel ​began ​striking Iran, ⁠triggering a regional conflict in the Gulf.

The funeral will begin in Tehran on ​July 4 and conclude with his burial in his hometown, the northeastern holy city of Mashhad, on July 9.