New Delhi, May 21 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi to convey deepest condolences on the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a chopper crash. He said they will always be remembered as friends of India.
In a post on X, Jaishankar also said that the Indian government stands in solidarity with the people of Iran at this very difficult time.
“Visited the Embassy of Iran in Delhi today to convey our deepest condolences on the tragic passing away of President Ebrahim Raisi and my colleague, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
“They will always be remembered as friends of India who contributed immensely to the growth of the India-Iran relationship.
“Government of India stands in solidarity with the people of Iran at this very difficult time.”
His visit to the Iranian Embassy comes as India has declared a one-day national mourning on Tuesday as a mark of respect on the death of President Raisi, and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs said that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have expressed condolences at the demise of Iranian President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian in a chopper crash in Iran.
In their messages, PM Modi and EAM Jaishankar “noted the important role the two leaders have played in strengthening the India-Iran relations”, the statemen said.
The National Flag is being flown at half-mast on Tuesday throughout India on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the day.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Modi had expressed deep sadness and shock at news of the death of President Raisi, and said his contribution to strengthening bilateral ties will always be remembered.
In a post on X, PM Modi also expressed his heartfelt condolences to President Raisi’s family and the people of Iran, and said India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” he posted.
In a post on X, the EAM had said he recalls his several meetings with the two Iranian leaders, and most recently in January 2024.
“Deeply shocked to hear of the passing away of Iran’s President Dr Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister H. Amir-Abdollahian in the helicopter crash.
Recall my many meetings with them, most recently in January 2024.
Our condolences to their families. We stand with the people of Iran at time of this tragedy,” the EAM posted on Monday.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian along with some other senior Iranian officials died in a helicopter crash in the mountains in northwestern Iran on Sunday.
The accident happened as President Raisi, the eighth President of Iran, and his entourage were returning from Khoda Afarin region in Iran’s northwestern province of East Azarbaijan after inaugurating a dam at the common border with the Republic of Azerbaijan.
