Iran has extended an invitation to senior BJP leader and former Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to attend ceremonies related to the funeral of the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It remains unclear if Naqvi will travel to Iran for the events. Naqvi acknowledged receiving the invitation but did not specify whether he would attend in a personal capacity or as a party representative, according to news agency PTI. India will be represented at the ceremonies by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Ata Hasnain. The formal invitation, sent by Mohsen Qummi, director of the international relations department in the office of Iran’s supreme leader, expressed sorrow over the death of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on 28 February 2026. A state funeral is planned in Tehran during the national mourning period. The invitation highlighted historical and strategic ties between Iran and India. Events include a farewell at Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla Complex on Friday, a commemorative session at the Summit Conference Hall on July 4, and a funeral procession on July 6. Khamenei, who led Iran for three decades, died on February 28 amid initial US and Israeli air strikes on Tehran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while Naqvi is among other invitees for the farewell events.
