Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Taking to X, he wrote that he is "deeply saddened and shocked" by the tragic passing of Raisi. PM Modi mentioned that Ebrahim Raisi's contribution to boosting India's bilateral ties with Iran will "always be remembered".
"My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow," his post on X further read.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also expressed condolences on the sudden death of Raisi. Jaishankar also condoled the loss of his Iranian counterpart Amirabdollhian.
"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 Iran at time of this tragedy," he tweeted.
Raisi was in a chopper crash with his Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollhian and other senior officials while travelling back from their visit to Iran's border with Azerbaijan. After several hours of massive rescue operations, which involved drones sent by Iran's neighbour Turkey, and amid harsh weather conditions, the wreckage of the helicopter was located.
However, the chopper was completely burnt, with Iranian state media reporting there were "no survivors" at the crash site and "no sign of life".
"President Raisi's helicopter was completely burned in the crash," an official told news agency Reuters.
