India will send a high-level delegation to Iran on July 3, 2026, to attend the funeral ceremony of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according
to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The delegation will be led by Bihar Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit reflects the deep-rooted civilisational ties and strong people-to-people connections between India and Iran, which continue to underpin their political and economic engagement. "Governor of Bihar, Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, and Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Pabitra Margherita, will visit the Islamic Republic of Iran on July 03, 2026 to attend the funeral ceremony of His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Thursday. "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," the statement said.
The farewell to the leader will be held at Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla Complex in Tehran on July 3, with commemoration the next day and funeral procession on July 6.
Khamenei, who ruled Iran for three decades, was killed on February 28, the first day of massive US and Israeli air strikes on Tehran. The funeral is slated to be held in Tehran and Qom on July 5, 6, and 7. The final ceremony will take place in the city of Mashhad on July 9.
Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, are expected to attend the funeral ceremony on behalf of the Indian government, news agency ANI reported on Monday, citing Iranian Sources.
