The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified reports of a five-day delay in signing Ayatollah Khamenei’s condolence book, saying the Indian government signed the condolence book on the first day it was opened.
At a press conference, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Let me clarify that the foreign minister signed the condolence book at the Iranian embassy on behalf of the Indian government on March 5, the first day it was opened.”
Responding to rumors that India had signed the book after a five-day delay, the MEA spokesperson said those making such claims should verify and update their information before commenting.
“Commentators should educate themselves on important matters before speaking publicly, and such uninformed comments should be avoided,” he said.
Former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli-American strike on February 28. Although India has called for the West Asian crisis to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, it has chosen not to respond to Khamenei’s killing.
However, on 5 March, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian embassy in Delhi and conveyed a message of sympathy to the Iranian ambassador to India.
Vikram Misri visited the Iranian Embassy and signed the condolence book on behalf of the Government of India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also released photographs of the foreign minister’s conversation with Iran’s envoy to India, Mohammad Fathali.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi. However, it is not known what happened during the meeting.
The visit came days after reports emerged that Ayatollah Khamenei had been killed in a joint US-Israeli strike. Iran retaliated with successive drone and missile attacks on several Arab countries as the war entered its 12th day today.
The foreign minister’s visit to the Iranian embassy gained significance after several opposition leaders criticized the Indian government for not responding to his death.
Iran thanks India
A few days later, the Embassy of Iran sent its sincere appreciation and thanks to all who visited the Embassy to sign the condolence book.
In a statement, the Iranian Embassy said: “The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its sincere appreciation and gratitude to the great people of India, government officials, political parties, religious leaders, scholars, academics and members of the media who visited the Embassy to sign the condolence book opened on the occasion of the martyrdom of the Islamic Republic of Khammam. Their sympathy with the Iranian people runs deep.” their presence and heartfelt expressions of solidarity are appreciated.”
