S Jaishankar, India’s external affairs minister, is expected to attend Iran’s president-elect Ebrahim Raisi’s inauguration on August 5, reflecting the two countries’ shared views on key issues such as the situation in Afghanistan.
When Jaishankar met Raisi in Tehran on July 7 on his way to Moscow, he extended an invitation to India to attend the swearing-in, and there had been earlier indications that the country would be represented at the ceremony by another minister, according to people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
According to the people cited above, India is now expected to be represented at the ceremony by its external affairs minister, signalling the importance that New Delhi places on its ties with Tehran. According to the people, Jaishankar’s visit will also provide an opportunity for the two sides to exchange notes on regional developments, particularly the security situation in Afghanistan.
