On Tuesday, as India mourned the tragic loss of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, his Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and other officials in a helicopter crash, the national flag was solemnly flown at half-mast at Delhi's Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The decision to observe a one-day state mourning was announced by the Union Home Minister on Monday, during which official entertainment activities were suspended as a mark of respect.
Expressing condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar highlighted the significant contributions made by Raisi and Amirabdollahian in enhancing India-Iran relations.
The fatal crash occurred as the delegation, including Raisi and Amirabdollahian, was returning to Iran from a visit to the Azerbaijan border where they had inaugurated a dam project. Tragically, their helicopter crashed into the mountainous terrain in Jolfa, northwest Iran. Despite extensive search efforts amid adverse weather conditions, all occupants of the helicopter were pronounced deceased.
In a message of solidarity, Prime Minister Modi conveyed India's unwavering support to Iran during this period of grief, expressing profound sadness and shock over the untimely demise of Raisi and others.
