Iran’s public expression of gratitude to India for participating in the state funeral has come against the backdrop of reports in Iranian media that several countries either withdrew or reduced their level of representation after diplomatic pressure from the US
Iran’s public expression of gratitude to India for participating in the state funeral of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has come against the backdrop of reports in Iranian media that several countries either withdrew or reduced their level of representation at the ceremonies after diplomatic pressure from the US. At least 13 countries, including two Gulf nations, scaled back or kept away from Khamenei’s funeral after diplomatic arm-twisting by the US, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
When viewed together, the two developments highlight the diplomatic currents that surrounded one of the biggest and closely watched state funerals in recent Iranian history. Tasnim reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally contacted at least five Arab governments to urge them not to attend the funeral procession in Tehran.
Iran thanks India
On Monday, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India, through a post on X, thanked the Indian government and people of India for participating in the funeral ceremonies and described New Delhi’s presence as a reaffirmation of the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
“The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Republic of India extends its heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to the friendly Government and people of India, especially the official delegation that attended on behalf of the Government and people of India, for participating in the funeral ceremonies and paying tribute to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” tweeted the Iranian embassy.
Representing the Government of India at the state funeral were Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (retired). The official delegation was accompanied by several other Indian dignitaries, including former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, and religious leaders representing different faith traditions.
US discouraged several nations from sending delegations
According to Tasnim, citing what it described as a senior Iranian source, Washington launched a coordinated diplomatic effort about a week before the funeral procession to persuade governments to avoid participating in the ceremonies. The report alleged that the effort involved Marco Rubio and American ambassadors in multiple countries.
Tasnim, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that US diplomatic missions informed several governments that attending Khamenei’s funeral would be viewed as an “unfriendly act” towards Washington and could carry implications for bilateral relations with the United States.
The report further alleged that some governments were warned of “negative consequences”, including reductions in development aid or adverse effects on bilateral ties. Tasnim reported that at least 13 countries either withdrew from the funeral ceremonies altogether or reduced the level of their official representation, including three Eastern European nations, five African states, two Persian Gulf Arab countries and two major East Asian nations.
India’s participation
India’s decision to maintain its participation was consistent with New Delhi’s long-standing approach of maintaining engagement with multiple partners across the Middle East despite geopolitical rivalries. India shares civilisational links with Iran and has substantial strategic interests ranging from energy security to connectivity initiatives, while simultaneously maintaining close partnerships with the United States, Israel and several Arab states.
Iran’s decision to publicly thank India among the dozens of countries that attended the funeral is notable because official diplomatic statements of gratitude following state funerals are generally reserved for countries whose participation carries symbolic importance.
