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New Delhi: India on Thursday condoled the death of the Republic of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed the joint US-Israel airstrikes on Tehran. On behalf of the Government of India, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, five days after the Ayatollah was assassinated.

Before this, India's response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East had been limited to calls for de-escalation and the evacuation of Indians. The condolence expressed by India is being seen as a significant diplomatic development since India has always maintained a cordial relationship with both Iran and Israel.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a highly-successful two-day visit to Israel and become the first Indian PM to address the Israeli Parliament Knesset. He was even conferred with the ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’, the highest honour of the Knesset, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening strategic relations between India and Israel.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a telephonic conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi today.

Further, PM Narendra Modi spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron today and discussed the situation in the Middle East. “We discussed our shared concerns over the evolving situation in West Asia and the need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We will continue to engage closely and coordinate efforts towards the early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” PM Modi said.