India expresses condolences on Ali Khamenei’s death; Foreign Secy Vikram Misri visits Iranian Embassy to sign condolence book

PTC Web Desk:  India has issued its first formal response following the death of Iran’s long-serving Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signing a book of condolence on behalf of the Government of India on Thursday.

Khamenei, who led the Iran for more than three decades, reportedly died during a joint military operation carried out by the United States and Israel in the early hours of Saturday. The 86-year-old cleric had served as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic since 1989, making him one of the most influential figures in the country’s modern political history.

Misri’s visit to sign the condolence book is seen as India’s first official gesture following Khamenei’s death. However, the government has so far refrained from issuing a detailed statement regarding the circumstances surrounding the operation that led to his killing.

Since tensions escalated in the Middle East, India has largely maintained a cautious diplomatic stance. New Delhi has avoided directly commenting on the ongoing conflict and has instead urged all sides involved to reduce tensions and pursue de-escalation.

India has also chosen not to publicly join those nations that have described the joint US-Israeli military action as a violation of international law. The restrained approach reflects New Delhi’s effort to balance its diplomatic relationships in the region while monitoring the evolving situation.

The death of Khamenei was first announced by US President Donald Trump through a post on the social media platform Truth Social late Saturday night (Indian Standard Time).

In his post, Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history” and claimed that his death could represent a turning point for the Iranian people. He further suggested that it could provide an opportunity for citizens in Iran to reclaim control over their country.