Slain Iranian security chief Ali Larijani maintained cordial ties with India

New Delhi: Iran's security chief Ali Larijani, killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday, maintained a cordial working relationship with India, said people familiar with the matter.

Last year, NSA Ajit Doval had welcomed Larijani's appointment as secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council through a telephonic conversation and deputy NSA Pavan Kapoor met Larijani when he travelled to Tehran in January. Larijani had earlier planned to visit India to meet Doval, the people said.

Kapoor's visit was a rare opportunity to engage with the Iranian leadership as war clouds were gathering on the horizon. Larijani hailed from a powerful political family of Iran. His brother, Sadeq Larijani, led Iran's judiciary, while another brother, Mohammad Javad, served as a senior diplomat and key adviser to the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on foreign affairs.

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Larijani's assassination by Israel will not destabilise Iran's political system, even as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed "definite revenge".

India sends medical assistance
India sent its first consignment of medical assistance to Iran as the conflict entered its 19th day on Wednesday. The shipment, comprising essential supplies, was delivered to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.