Cultural Counsellor at the Iran Embassy in India, F Faridasr, expressed gratitude on Friday for India's support during the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing it as a testament to the centuries-old civilizational relationship between the two nations. Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026.
Indian Delegation at the Funeral
Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Syed Ata Hasnain represented India at the funeral ceremony. Speaking with ANI, Faridasr highlighted the participation of both the official Indian delegation and the public during the week-long ceremonies, thanking the nation for standing with Iran in its time of grief.
"From day one when the announcement was made of the martyrdom, India—especially the public—stood with us in this hour of grief. That was extraordinary and it clearly shows how we have been neighbors and how a neighbor behaves with a neighbor, which of course stems from a civilizational relationship," Faridasr said.
Public Participation Across Religions
Faridasr praised the involvement of the Indian public, noting that people from all cultural backgrounds and religions voluntarily attended the ceremony. "There were leaders of different cultural backgrounds and religions—Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains—who managed to go there voluntarily apart from the official delegation," he stated. He added that the Indian people seemed even more grieved than the Iranians at times, reflecting deep emotional ties.
Historical and Extraordinary Turnout
Responding to the massive footfall during Khamenei's funeral, Faridasr said the large turnout of people from across the world made the event historical and extraordinary. He affirmed that the week-long farewell paid tribute to the slain leader and sent a message that "a person can be so great that even when he is no longer in the world, he still rules over the hearts of millions."
"We were anticipating that there would be this kind of warm response, particularly from the Iranian people and Iraqis as well, and throughout the world where people participated and came from. As the whole world saw the way people joined in the final rituals and the funeral, that itself is a very historical and extraordinary moment," he said.
Burial at Imam Reza Shrine
Former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was laid to rest at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad earlier today, with thousands of supporters gathering for final farewells, as reported by Press TV. The burial took place at the Dar al-Dhikr prayer hall after his coffin was carried around the tomb of Imam Reza. The funeral prayers were led by his eldest son, Seyyed Mostafa Khamenei.
According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Khamenei's body had to be transported by air to the holy shrine due to massive crowds packed between the Danesh intersection and the Imam Reza Shrine. State media aired visuals of vast crowds of mourners lining the funeral route in Mashhad and surrounding the convoy carrying the former Supreme Leader's body.
