World leaders mourn death of Pranab Mukherjee
   Date :02-Sep-2020

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Hearse van carrying mortal remains of former President Pranab Mukherjee arrives at his residence in New Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI)
 
DHAKA/KATHMANDU ;
 
MANY world leaders on Monday condoled the death of former President Pranab Mukherjee, saying they have lost a true friend who made immense contributions to strengthening of India’s relations with their countries. The 84-year-old veteran politician died after he suffered a septic shock on Sunday. He died of a cardiac arrest on Monday evening following a 21-day battle with multiple ailments. Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed sorrow over demise of Mukherjee, describing him as a “true friend” and recalling his “outstanding and unforgettable” contributions to country’s 1971 Liberation War. “His demise has caused an irreparable loss to the political arena of the sub-continent,” Hamid said, describing Mukherjee as a “real and sincere friend” of Bangladesh.
 
“I am profoundly saddened by the demise of former president of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee. My thoughts and prayers are with the family members in this hour of grief,” Hasina said. Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and chairman of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal Pushpakamal Dahal “Prachanda” have expresses their condolences. Nepal has lost a good friend, President Bhandari tweeted. “We remember his contributions in strengthening Nepal-India relations in different capacities of his public life,” Oli said. Prachanda said that South Asia has lost an intellectual leader. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin described Mukherjee as a “true friend of Israel” and expressed his condolences at the passing away of one of India’s most respected politicians, saying he helped strengthen the ties between the two countries. Mukherjee became the first Indian President to visit Israel in October 2015, setting up the stage for the first visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017.
 
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to President of India Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Modi following the death of Mukherjee. “Please accept deep condolences in connection with the demise of former head of state Pranab Kumar Mukherjee. As a true friend of Russia, he made a significant personal contribution to strengthening the relations of special and privileged strategic partnership between our countries,” Putin said in a statement. Afghan leader Abdullah Abdullah tweeted, “I convey my deepest condolences to the people and government of India, the family and supporters of former President & Indian statesman, Pranab Mukherjee, who passed away today. May he rest in peace.”
 
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih wrote on Twitter, “Sincere condolences to his family and the people of India following the passing of former Indian President Shri Pranab Mukherjee. Mr Mukherjee was a public servant of the highest caliber and his passing is a tremendous loss not only to India but the entire South Asian region.” US’ Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said, “President Shri Pranab Mukherjee was a devout public servant who believed deeply in the importance of our two nations tackling global challenges together. Jill and I are saddened to hear of his passing - our prayers go out to his loved ones and the Indian people,” Biden said on Monday.
 
 
According to Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, a strong US-India partnership will be one of Mukherjee’s many lasting legacies. The US India Business Council said with Mukherjee’s death, India lost an incredible statesman. He was a long-time supporter of the US-India partnership, it tweeted. ‘New York Times’ described the former President as an “Indispensable Man of Indian Politics”. “His 50-year career set an everlasting example for the world’s largest democracy,” Congressman Pete Olson said. Leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul described Pranab Mukherjee as an outstanding personality who devoted his entire life for the welfare of the nation. In a condolence message, Lord Paul said, “Sad to learn about the untimely death of former President of India Pranab Mukherjee.”