New Delhi: India “stands” with Iran, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Monday, while expressing condolences over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash. Their deaths come at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East over a war between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza. Days earlier, India and Iran had also inked a long-term deal for the strategically located Chabahar Port.
“India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” said Modi in a statement on X.
“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,” he wrote.
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.…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2024
The helicopter, carrying Raisi, Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati and others, crashed in a mountainous area in northwestern Iran during foggy weather. Raisi, who became president in 2021, was visiting Iran-Azerbaijan to inaugurate two joint dams — the Qiz Qalasi and Khodaafarin — alongside his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev. After “bidding a friendly farewell”, the Azeri President said, reports emerged of the deadly helicopter crash.
Today, after bidding a friendly farewell to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, we were profoundly troubled by the news of a helicopter carrying the top delegation crash-landing in Iran. Our prayers to Allah Almighty are with President Ebrahim Raisi and…
— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) May 19, 2024
In his condolence message, India’s foreign minister S. Jaishankar recalled his past meetings with his Iranian counterpart, most recently in January when the former undertook a visit to Tehran.
“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…We stand with the people of Iran at time of this tragedy,” wrote Jaishankar in a statement on X.
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…
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) May 20, 2024
In January, Jaishankar had visited Tehran and met the Iranian president, foreign minister and other top officials. India’s involvement in the Chabahar port, its first-ever overseas port investment, was a key topic of discussion between Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart, according to a joint statement released after their meeting.
Last week, India and Iran inked a long-awaited contract for the Chabahar Port, which allows India Ports Global Private Limited (IPGPL), a state-owned entity, to manage and operate a terminal in the port for 10 years, instead of having to annually renew a short-term contract as was the case earlier. India also extended a credit line of $250 million to Iran for Chabahar-related development.
On Monday morning, Iran’s Ambassador to India, Iran Elahi, released a picture of the Iranian President, Foreign Minister, the East Azerbaijan Governor and East Azerbaijan Imam of Friday Prayer, confirming that they had been “martyred” in a chopper crash.
President Raeisi, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Gov. Malek Rahmati, East Azarbaijan Imam of Friday Prayer Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, & several other passengers, has been martyred in a helicopter crash in northwest of Iran. pic.twitter.com/zPWkNpxnKh
— Iran Ambassador Iraj Elahi (@IranAmbIndia) May 20, 2024
The sudden deaths of Iran’s president and foreign minister has created questions over a potential leadership vacuum in Iran, especially at a time of regional tensions and increasing hostility with the US and its Western allies.
However, it is expected that Iran’s Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber, a close aide to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, will take over as interim president. Article 131 of Iran’s constitution mandates that in the case of the president’s death, the first deputy temporarily assumes the presidency.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
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