Iran's Rare Diplomatic Outreach: BJP's Nitin Nabin, Congress' Kharge Invited To Khamenei's Funeral

Iran has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several prominent Indian political leaders to attend the state funeral of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the sources, the invite list includes BJP president Nitin Nabin, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, and People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian personally invited Prime Minister Modi during a phone conversation between the two leaders on Tuesday, sources said.The outreach to leaders across the political spectrum is being seen as a diplomatic gesture by Tehran, reflecting its engagement with both the Indian government and key Opposition figures.While the invitations

have been extended, there has been no official confirmation on who will attend the funeral.

PM Modi Likely To Skip Khamenei's Funeral

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likley to skip Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral ceremony in view of his packed schedule that includes visits to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.However, several reports claimed that India will be represented at the state funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader by Bihar Governor Lt Gen (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita. The two dignitaries will attend the funeral ceremonies beginning July 4 on behalf of the Indian government, following an invitation from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to PM Modi.

Khamenei's Funeral Ceremonies To Begin From July 4

The 86-year-old Iranian Supreme Leader was killed on the very first day of Israeli and US airstrikes against Tehran on February 28. Khamenei served as the head of the Islamic Republic for 36 years.Khamenei's funeral ceremonies will begin in Tehran on July 4, while his burial is scheduled to take place in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9. The burial was originally planned for an earlier date but was postponed due to the conflict that was underway at the time."The farewell ceremony and prayers for the martyred leader’s body will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and 5, in Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, and the funeral will be held on Monday, July 6, and Tehran province will be off for these three days," IRGC commander Hassan Hassanzadeh, in charge of the funeral ceremonies, was quoted as saying by Times of Israel.