New Delhi, August 7: As soon as the Indian media reported the demise of former Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who passed away due to an heart-attack on late Tuesday night, condolences began pouring from international dignitaries and others.
The 67-year-old BJP leader has been admitted to the All Indian Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) after a deterioration in her physique.
Present EAM S Jaishankar, who surpassed Swaraj earlier this year after the Lok Sabha Elections 2019, was shocked after hearing reports of her untimely demise and said it was “difficult to accept the news”.
In a tweet, Jaishankar said, “Deeply shocked to learn of the passing away of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Difficult to accept this news. The whole nation grieves, the Foreign Ministry even more so.”
Deeply shocked to learn of the passing away of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Difficult to accept this news. The whole nation grieves, the Foreign Ministry even more so.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) August 6, 2019
VK Singh, the ex-Minister of State (MoS) for external affairs, who coordinated with Swaraj in the EAM during the first serving term of Narendra Modi as the Indian prime minister, stated Swaraj’s death brought the curtains “down on one of the most prolific and illustrious political figures of India”.
In a series of tweets, he said, “The demise of Sushma ji, brings the curtains down on one of the most prolific and illustrious political figures of India. Her exemplary insights, understanding and visionary leadership will be missed by one and all.”
Hailing Swaraj’s outreach to the Indian community, Singh, an ex-army general, said: “I was fortunate enough to work with her during the last term of our government. It was her witty comebacks & empathetic attitude towards every Indian who faced issues when traveling abroad that made her one of the most loved EAMs of India.”
In another tweet, Singh said, “Sushma ji, thank you for everything that you did for our country & for the memorable times I spent working with you – you will be missed, ma’am. Rest In Peace.”
Sushma ji, thank you for everything that you did for our country & for the memorable times I spent working with you – you will be missed ma’am. Rest In Peace.
— Gen VK Singh(MODI KA PARIWAR) (@Gen_VKSingh) August 6, 2019
Indian special envoy to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navdeep Suri also paid his condolences through a tweet, describing late EAM as an “inspirational leader”.
Suri tweeted, “Just devasted to learn about the untimely demise of #SushmaSwaraj. She brought a rare empathy and a person, human tough to the world of diplomacy and there is just so much that we learned from her. A truly inspirational leader.”
Just devastated to learn about the untimely demise of #SushmaSwaraj
She brought a rare empathy and a personal, human touch to the world of diplomacy and there is just so much that we learned from her. A truly inspirational leader.— Navdeep Suri (@navdeepsuri) August 6, 2019
The Indian ambassador also recalled his midnight session with Swaraj in the UAE when she had visited there as a “Guest of Honour” in order to deliver the OIC foreign ministers’ summit held in capital Abu Dabhi.
In another tweet, Suri said, “Remembering our 2 AM session with #SushmaSwaraj in Abu Dhabi on March 1. She was to speak the next morning as Guest of Honour at OIC Foreign Ministers’ Conference. Arrived after midnight, plunged straight into work, got a bit of rest and delivered a truly memorable address.”
Remembering our 2 AM session with #SushmaSwaraj in Abu Dhabi on March 1. She was to speak the next morning as Guest of Honour at OIC Foreign Ministers' Conference. Arrived after midnight, plunged straight into work, got a bit of rest and delivered a truly memorable address.
— Navdeep Suri (@navdeepsuri) August 6, 2019
Calling Swaraj as India’s one of the most respectable stalwart, French Ambassador to India Alexander Ziegler highly admired her for taking Indo-French bilateral and diplomatic relations to “new heights”.
Ziegler tweeted, “My heartfelt condolences to the family & loved ones of former EAM of India, Smt. Sushma Swaraj ji. One of India’s most respected leaders, she showed remarkable dedication to serving her fellow citizens & took the Indo-French relationship to new heights.”
My heartfelt condolences to the family & loved ones of former EAM of India, Smt. Sushma Swaraj ji.
One of India’s most respected leaders, she showed remarkable dedication to serving her fellow citizens & took the Indo-French relationship to new heights.#SushmaSwaraj
— French Embassy in India 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@FranceinIndia) August 6, 2019
Bhutanese foreign minister Dr. Tandi Dorji has also paid his tributed to the late Indian foreign minister.
He said, “Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj, former external affairs minister of India. Our deepest condolences and sympathies to the people of India and the bereaved families #@RuchiraKamboj.”
Afghanistan foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani, in a tweet, said: “I’m saddened to hear of the untimely demise of @SushmaSwaraj, Senior BJP leader & former Foreign Minister of India. My deepest condolences to the people & government of India on the loss of a distinguished public figure who represented her country w/ distinction & determination.”
I’m saddened to hear of the untimely demise of @SushmaSwaraj, Senior BJP leader & former Foreign Minister of India. My deepest condolences to the people & government of India on the loss of a distinguished public figure who represented her country w/ distinction & determination.
— Salahuddin Rabbani (@SalahRabbani) August 6, 2019
Hamid Karzai, the former Afghan president, also recalled Swaraj as a great orator and tall leader. He tweeted, “Deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Behinji Sushma Swaraj. A tall leader and a great orator and people’s person. My profound condolences to the people of India and her family and friends.”
https://twitter.com/KarzaiH/status/1158818364354994176?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
He also tweeted, “Expressing my profound condolences to Prime Minister @narendramodi on the sad demise of honourable Sushma Swaraj @SushmaSwaraj. She represented India with immense dignity and grace. HK.”
https://twitter.com/KarzaiH/status/1158852431930777600?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Abdulla Shahid, the foreign minister of Maldives, recalled his good friend Swaraj, calling her a warm human being and a key base of renewed bilateral relations between the two nations.
In a tweet, he said, “Deeply grieved to hear the demise of my good friend Smt #SushmaSawraj; Stateswoman extraordinaire, diplomat par excellence; A warm human being. Key architect of renewed Maldives-India friendship. Sincere condolences to bereaved family and people of India. May she rest in peace!.”
Deeply grieved to hear the demise of my good friend Smt #SushmaSawraj; Stateswoman extraordinaire, diplomat par excellence; A warm human being. Key architect of renewed Maldives-India friendship. Sincere condolences to bereaved family and people of India. May she rest in peace! pic.twitter.com/kcxbdsimxI
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) August 6, 2019
Indian ambassador to the United States, Harsh V Shringla, also wrote on his official twitter handle: “Sad and shocking news. A great leader and wonderful minister that inspired all of us who had the honour to serve under her leadership.”
Sad and shocking news. A great leader and wonderful minister that inspired all of us who had the honour to serve under her leadership. https://t.co/c8RT7lLyHZ
— Harsh V Shringla (@harshvshringla) August 6, 2019
Vikas Swarup, the Indian high commissioner to Canada, also paid his last tribute to Swaraj via twitter, saying he was shocked to hear the demise of Swaraj, stressing her legacy of making MEA a ‘people-centric’ will surely live on forever.
Swarup tweeted, “Stunned to hear that @SushmaSwaraj is no more. I had the privilege of working with her very closely. She touched millions of people with her kindness, her generosity & her service. Her legacy of making MEA a “people-centric” Ministry will live on forever. Truly a very sad day.”
Stunned to hear that @SushmaSwaraj is no more. I had the privilege of working with her very closely. She touched millions of people with her kindness, her generosity & her service. Her legacy of making MEA a "people-centric" Ministry will live on forever. Truly a very sad day. pic.twitter.com/aKk2qs022Y
— Vikas Swarup (@VikasSwarup) August 6, 2019
Andrew Scheer, the leader of Canadia’s conservative party, tweeted: “Sad to learn Sushma Swaraj has died. She was a strong voice for India and champion for women around the world. On behalf of Canada’s Conservatives, I extend my deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and the people of India and Canada who were impacted by her leadership.”
Sad to learn Sushma Swaraj has died. She was a strong voice for India and champion for women around the world. On behalf of Canada’s Conservatives, I extend my deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and the people of India and Canada who were impacted by her leadership. pic.twitter.com/Fo6srfO5Mr
— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) August 6, 2019
Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney, also tweeted: “Condolences to my friends in the Government of India on the untimely death of former Foreign Minister @SushmaSwaraj. Sushma ji was a widely admired leader, and a good friend of Canada. RIP.”
Condolences to my friends in the Government of India on the untimely death of former Foreign Minister @SushmaSwaraj. Sushma ji was a widely admired leader, and a good friend of Canada. RIP. pic.twitter.com/7MJEJKx0wZ
— Jason Kenney 🇨🇦🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@jkenney) August 6, 2019
Canadian 22 prime minister, Stephen Harper, tweeted: “Saddened to learn of @SushmaSwaraj’s passing. Throughout her long and inspired service to the Indian people, she brought wit, warmth and strength in her many distinguished roles. Respected by all, she will be deeply missed and forever admired.”
Saddened to learn of @SushmaSwaraj’s passing. Throughout her long and inspired service to the Indian people, she brought wit, warmth and strength in her many distinguished roles. Respected by all, she will be deeply missed and forever admired. pic.twitter.com/nNqT4rFNfL
— Stephen Harper (@stephenharper) August 6, 2019
Director General, South Asia, Global Affairs Canada David Hartman tweeted, “Deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of former Indian EAM Sushma Swaraj. My sincere condolences to her family and the entire nation. May She Rest In Peace.”
Deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of former Indian EAM Sushma Swaraj. My sincere condolences to her family and the entire nation. May She Rest In Peace. @CanadainIndia @nadirypatel @Dcholton @Soyoung_Park1 @VikasSwarup @MEAIndia
— David Hartman (@AmbDBHartman) August 6, 2019
US embassy in New Delhi said: “Today, the US Mission to India mourns the passing of #SushmaSwaraj. Minister Swaraj was greatly respected & viewed as an outstanding representative of the Indian people, both at home and abroad.”
It added, “#SushmaSwaraj was a steadfast advocate for her compatriots. As External Affairs Minister, she was a key partner in strengthening US-India bilateral relationship, most prominently during the inaugural 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in September 2018.”
US Embassy in Delhi: #SushmaSwaraj was a steadfast advocate for her compatriots. As External Affairs Minister, she was a key partner in strengthening US-India bilateral relationship, most prominently during the inaugural 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in September 2018. https://t.co/mBHQdfaDiM
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2019