#RIPSushmaSwaraj: Leaders across the world pay tributes to Sushma Swaraj
The sudden demise of BJP stalwart and former External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, has come as a shock to many leaders not only in India but across the world. Swaraj, one of the most prolific politicians, breathed her last at 10:50pm on Tuesday after suffering a massive cardiac arrest. She was 67. Tributes and condolences continued to pour in from world dignitaries for Swaraj.
'Bangladesh has lost a good friend': PM Sheikh Hasina
Condoling the demise of Swaraj, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called her a "good friend of Bangladesh" "She (Sushma) was a good friend of Bangladesh. With her death, Bangladesh has lost a good friend," Hasina said, paying tributes to the former Indian External Affairs Minister. "Bangladesh will recall her contributions in taking the relationship between the two countries to a new height," she said.
'Fondly recall how...she used to call me brother': Nepal PM
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed shock on Swaraj's death. "Deeply shocked to learn of the passing away of Smt. Sushma Swaraj... Heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the Government and people of India as well as to the bereaved family members," he tweeted. "I fondly recall how intimately she used to call me brother and share feelings of affinity," he added.
We express our sincere condolences: Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia also paid tributes to Swaraj on Twitter. "We express our sincere condolences to the people of #India on the passing away of the former FM of this friendly country @SushmaSwaraj," it tweeted.
Had many fruitful discussions with her: Iranian Foreign Minister
Recalling his "fruitful" discussions with Swaraj, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif also offered his condolences. "My deepest condolences to the government and the people of India on the passing of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. I had many fruitful and useful discussions with her while she held office, and am saddened by her sudden passing. May she forever rest in peace," he tweeted.
Rest in Peace 'my dear sister': Bahrain's Foreign Minister
Bahrain's Foreign Affairs Minister, Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, also expressed condolences over the demise of Swaraj, recalling that she always used to call him her "brother". "Indian leader and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who always called me 'My Brother', is not with us anymore. Rest In Peace 'my dear sister'. India and Bahrain will miss you," he tweeted.
'Will not forget her friendship to Israel': Former Israeli Ambassador
Israel's former Ambassador to India, Daniel Carmon, also expressed grief over Swaraj's demise. "Saddened by the passing away of former #EAM @SushmaSwaraj ji. An #Indian leader who was always impressively accessible to all #Indian citizens worldwide," he tweeted. "I will not forget her friendship to Israel in #Parliament & in #Government & her visit to #Jerusalem, 2016. She will be missed," he added.
Swaraj: The second woman External Affairs Minister of India
Swaraj, who served as the fifth Chief Minister of Delhi, also held several portfolios at the Center in her political career spanning more than four decades. In 2014, she was appointed as the External Affairs Minister in the Modi government's first term. Notably, she was the second woman, after former PM Indira Gandhi, to become the External Affairs Minister in the history of India.
