Iran will stay in my heart: Indian envoy's Farsi farewell video goes viral
Shresth's departure comes as India tries to preserve its longstanding ties with Iran while balancing its strategic relationships with Israel and the United States, a challenge that grew more acute after the February 28 US-Israel strikes triggered a wider West Asia conflict.
Outgoing Indian Ambassador to Iran Rudra Gaurav Shresth has bid farewell to Tehran with a message in Farsi, thanking Iranians for their friendship and hospitality during his more than three-year tenure.
A video of Shresth's farewell message has gone viral on social media.
"Today, my mission in Iran has come to an end. I would like to thank all my friends and colleagues who were with me during this time. Iran is truly a land of beauty, culture, manners and hospitality," Shresth said in Farsi.
"This land and its people have always had a special place in my memories and in my heart. I look forward to seeing you again. Goodbye," he added.
His departure was also marked by an Iranian farewell tradition in which water is thrown behind a departing traveller, symbolising wishes for a safe journey and a return home.
FROM TEHRAN TO ANKARA
Shresth, a 1999-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, was appointed India's next Ambassador to Turkiye in June and is expected to take up the post in Ankara. He has served as India's Ambassador to Iran since May 2023.
Over his career, he has served at Indian missions in France, Mauritius, Afghanistan, Singapore and Bhutan, and was India's High Commissioner to Mozambique between 2016 and 2019.
He has also handled personnel management and policy planning at the Ministry of External Affairs, served as Director in the Foreign Secretary's Office, and spent three years on deputation to the Prime Minister's Office before his Tehran posting.
INDIA'S BALANCING ACT WITH IRAN
Shresth’s departure comes as India tries to preserve its longstanding ties with Iran while balancing its strategic relationships with Israel and the United States, a challenge that grew more acute after the February 28 US-Israel strikes triggered a wider West Asia conflict.
India's response stopped short of condemning the strikes. New Delhi said it was "deeply concerned" and urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise civilian safety.
Following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an Israeli-US airstrike, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi.
But the gesture came only after the Modi government faced criticism for remaining silent on Khamenei’s death for nearly a week.
When Iran held Khamenei's state funeral in July, India was represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain. Tehran later thanked India for participating.
However, bilateral ties have also come under strain over Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz through the use of force.
Last month, India summoned Iran’s Deputy Ambassador after an Iranian missile strike on two UAE-flagged tankers in the Strait killed one Indian crew member and injured eight others.
Outgoing Indian Ambassador to Iran Rudra Gaurav Shresth has bid farewell to Tehran with a message in Farsi, thanking Iranians for their friendship and hospitality during his more than three-year tenure.
A video of Shresth's farewell message has gone viral on social media.
"Today, my mission in Iran has come to an end. I would like to thank all my friends and colleagues who were with me during this time. Iran is truly a land of beauty, culture, manners and hospitality," Shresth said in Farsi.
"This land and its people have always had a special place in my memories and in my heart. I look forward to seeing you again. Goodbye," he added.
His departure was also marked by an Iranian farewell tradition in which water is thrown behind a departing traveller, symbolising wishes for a safe journey and a return home.
FROM TEHRAN TO ANKARA
Shresth, a 1999-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, was appointed India's next Ambassador to Turkiye in June and is expected to take up the post in Ankara. He has served as India's Ambassador to Iran since May 2023.
Over his career, he has served at Indian missions in France, Mauritius, Afghanistan, Singapore and Bhutan, and was India's High Commissioner to Mozambique between 2016 and 2019.
He has also handled personnel management and policy planning at the Ministry of External Affairs, served as Director in the Foreign Secretary's Office, and spent three years on deputation to the Prime Minister's Office before his Tehran posting.
INDIA'S BALANCING ACT WITH IRAN
Shresth’s departure comes as India tries to preserve its longstanding ties with Iran while balancing its strategic relationships with Israel and the United States, a challenge that grew more acute after the February 28 US-Israel strikes triggered a wider West Asia conflict.
India's response stopped short of condemning the strikes. New Delhi said it was "deeply concerned" and urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise civilian safety.
Following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an Israeli-US airstrike, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi.
But the gesture came only after the Modi government faced criticism for remaining silent on Khamenei’s death for nearly a week.
When Iran held Khamenei's state funeral in July, India was represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain. Tehran later thanked India for participating.
However, bilateral ties have also come under strain over Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz through the use of force.
Last month, India summoned Iran’s Deputy Ambassador after an Iranian missile strike on two UAE-flagged tankers in the Strait killed one Indian crew member and injured eight others.
Outgoing Indian Ambassador to Iran Rudra Gaurav Shresth has bid farewell to Tehran with a message in Farsi, thanking Iranians for their friendship and hospitality during his more than three-year tenure.
A video of Shresth's farewell message has gone viral on social media.
"Today, my mission in Iran has come to an end. I would like to thank all my friends and colleagues who were with me during this time. Iran is truly a land of beauty, culture, manners and hospitality," Shresth said in Farsi.
"This land and its people have always had a special place in my memories and in my heart. I look forward to seeing you again. Goodbye," he added.
His departure was also marked by an Iranian farewell tradition in which water is thrown behind a departing traveller, symbolising wishes for a safe journey and a return home.
FROM TEHRAN TO ANKARA
Shresth, a 1999-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, was appointed India's next Ambassador to Turkiye in June and is expected to take up the post in Ankara. He has served as India's Ambassador to Iran since May 2023.
Over his career, he has served at Indian missions in France, Mauritius, Afghanistan, Singapore and Bhutan, and was India's High Commissioner to Mozambique between 2016 and 2019.
He has also handled personnel management and policy planning at the Ministry of External Affairs, served as Director in the Foreign Secretary's Office, and spent three years on deputation to the Prime Minister's Office before his Tehran posting.
INDIA'S BALANCING ACT WITH IRAN
Shresth’s departure comes as India tries to preserve its longstanding ties with Iran while balancing its strategic relationships with Israel and the United States, a challenge that grew more acute after the February 28 US-Israel strikes triggered a wider West Asia conflict.
India's response stopped short of condemning the strikes. New Delhi said it was "deeply concerned" and urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise civilian safety.
Following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an Israeli-US airstrike, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi.
But the gesture came only after the Modi government faced criticism for remaining silent on Khamenei’s death for nearly a week.
When Iran held Khamenei's state funeral in July, India was represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain. Tehran later thanked India for participating.
However, bilateral ties have also come under strain over Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz through the use of force.
Last month, India summoned Iran’s Deputy Ambassador after an Iranian missile strike on two UAE-flagged tankers in the Strait killed one Indian crew member and injured eight others.
