In response to the call of the Government of India and the Government of Manipur, Tamenglong College, the lone government college in the district, also joined the nation in paying respect to the tragic demise of H.E. Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and H.E. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The two top leaders of Iran, a country with whom India had a strategic regional partnership, passed away in a helicopter crash along with a few other leaders and officials.
The simple condolence service and flowning of the National Flag Half-Mast were led by Dr. Kinthuijinang Maremmei, Principal, Tamenglong College.
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AN OVERVIEW OF INDIA-IRAN RELATIONS
India and Iran share a millennia-long history of interactions. In ancient times, Persia (Iran) and India had a very strong trade as well as cultural relationships. The contemporary relationship between the two nations draws upon the strength of these historical and civilisational ties and continues to grow further, marked by high-level exchanges, commercial and connectivity cooperation, and cultural and robust people-to-people ties.
INDIA-IRAN RELATIONS AFTER INDEPENDENCE
Independent India and Iran had established diplomatic relations when they signed a friendship treaty soon after their independence on 15 March, 1950. In the recent time, this bilateral relations was further boosted by the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Iran in May 2016. The two leaders of the two countries, Prime Minister Modi and President Raisi, also met very recently on the sidelines of BRICS Summit in August 2023.
Condoling the death of the President of Iran, PM Narendra Modi wrote 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. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.”
During the last 75 years, many Indian leaders and officials visited Iran, and the same gesture was reciprocated by Iran to India. Here are some of the Prime Ministers of India who visited the country:
1. Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (22-23 May 2016)
2. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister (28-31 August 2012) [to attend the 16th Non-aligned Movement (NAM) summit]
3. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister (10-13 April 2001)
4. Shri Narasimha Rao, Prime Minister (September 1993)
5. Shri Morarji Desai, Prime Minister (June 1977)
6. Smt. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister (April 1974)
7. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister (September 1959)
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Among the top leaders of Iran who visited India are:
1. Dr. Hassan Rouhani, President (15-17 February 2018)
2. Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President (April 29, 2008)
3. Mr. Mohammad Khatami, President (24-28 January, 2003) [as Chief Guest at the Republic Day function]
4. Mr. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, President (April 1995)
5. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahalvi (February 1978)
6. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahalvi (February/March 1956)
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