PM Modi invited to former Iran supreme leader Khamenei's funeral

PM Modi invited to join Khamenei's funeral ceremony that is to be held between July 4 and July 9

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi has been invited by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to attend the funeral of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, official sources confirmed.While Modi himself is unlikely to travel, it's learnt that govt is contemplating a high-level representation from India keeping in mind the need to reassure Tehran about the importance it attaches to India's "civilisational" ties with Iran marked by increasingly significant connectivity and people-to-people linkages.

Khamenei was killed in US-Israel strikes shortly after the war began on Feb 28. The multiday funeral delayed by the conflict is slated to officially begin on July 4. Iran has invited Modi and other leaders for a related event on July 3.India did not explicitly condemn the attacks on Iran during the conflict, even though it denounced Iran’s attacks on its Gulf neighbours on several occasions. Govt, however, has worked to ensure a delicate balance in ties with Iran.Official sources said a decision is expected in the next few days on who would represent India.