After PM Modi, Iran invites BJP, Congress leaders to Khamenei's state funeral

Iran has extended formal invitations to senior leaders from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress to attend the multi-day state funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.

According to reports, the invitations have been sent to BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Congress leader Salman Khurshid, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti.

The move is being seen as an effort by Tehran to engage with leaders across India's political spectrum ahead of one of the largest state ceremonies in Iran's recent history.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has not yet decided whether he will attend the funeral. The party is also expected to take a call on the composition of any delegation that may travel to Iran for the event.

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India to be represented at the funeral

The Government of India has already decided to send Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (Retired) Syed Ata Hasnain to represent the country at the funeral.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the ceremony. However, Margherita and Hasnain will participate on behalf of the Indian government.

Funeral ceremonies from July 4 to July 9

The state funeral will begin on July 4 and continue until July 9, with ceremonies taking place in several cities across Iran.

Iranian state media said Khamenei's body will lie in state at the Tehran Mosalla on July 4 and 5. A funeral procession will then be held in the Iranian capital on July 6.

Another ceremony is scheduled for July 7 in the holy city of Qom, an important religious centre for Shia Muslims. The final rites will take place on July 9 in Mashhad, Khamenei's hometown, where he will be buried at the shrine of the eighth Shia Imam following a public funeral procession.

Funeral delayed after conflict

Ayatollah Khamenei was killed on February 28 during the opening phase of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. He died in a strike on a compound in Tehran that also killed at least seven other senior Iranian leaders.

The funeral was originally planned for March but was postponed because of the conflict, which continued until a ceasefire between the United States and Iran came into effect recently.

Iran's decision to invite leaders from both the ruling party and the opposition reflects its effort to maintain broad diplomatic engagement with India as the country prepares for the high-profile state funeral.