Jaishankar said President Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian “will be remembered as friends of India“.
“Visited the Embassy of Iran in Delhi today to convey our deepest condolences on the tragic passing away of President Ebrahim Raisi and my colleague, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. They will always be remembered as friends of India who contributed immensely to the growth of the India-Iran relationship. Government of India stands in solidarity with the people of Iran at this very difficult time,” S Jaishankar posted on X.
The national flag was flown at half-mast on all official buildings on Tuesday as the government had declared to observe one-day mourning after Raisi’s death.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will travel to Tehran to attend the funeral of Ebrahim Raisi, and other officials.
“Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankar will pay a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on 22 May 2024 to attend official ceremony to pay condolences on the tragic demise of H.E. President Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, H.E. Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other Iranian officials in an unfortunate helicopter crash on 19 May 2024,” the MEA said in an official press release.
Thousands of people took to the streets in Iran as the funeral ceremony of Raisi began today in the city of Tabriz in the north-western region where the chopper in which he was travelling in crashed on Sunday.
President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have also conveyed their condolences to the government and people of Iran.
On Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi had condoled the demise of the Iranian President. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi acknowledged Raisi’s contribution to strengthening the India-Iran bilateral relationship.
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening the India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” PM Modi tweeted.
On Monday, Khamenei announced five days of mourning and a public holiday has been declared with offices closed all over the country.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, a condolence book has been opened at Iran’s Embassy to enable people to pay tributes to the late President, the late foreign as well as other fellow officials.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister died in a helicopter crash while passing through a mountainous terrain in heavy fog. The aircraft, which also carried other officials, had disappeared in the mountains of northwestern Iran.
(With ANI inputs)