India condoles Khamenei's death, FS Misri signs condolence book

India on Thursday offered condolences on the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israel airstrike on February 28. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian embassy in New Delhi and signed the condolence book on behalf of the Government of India.

Khamenei’s killing during the airstrike has escalated tensions across West Asia and triggered an intense conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The incident has significantly heightened instability in the region, raising global concerns over security, energy supply and international trade routes.

During his visit to the embassy, Misri also met Iranian envoy to India Mohammad Fathali. A photograph of their interaction was later released by the Ministry of External Affairs, reflecting India’s diplomatic engagement with Tehran during the ongoing crisis.

Earlier, India had reiterated its call for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict and urged all sides to avoid further escalation. The government emphasised the need for an early end to hostilities amid rising casualties and growing instability across the region.

India has also expressed concern over the potential impact of the conflict on nearly 10 million Indians living and working in West Asia, as well as on global trade and energy supply chains that pass through the region.