National
Nepal’s friends send words of comfort in hour of grief
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and political leaders have expressed their heartfelt condolence on the demise of former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala.Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and political leaders have expressed their heartfelt condolence on the demise of former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala.
President Mukherjee, in a statement issued on Tuesday, expressed his sorrow over the death. He hailed Koirala’s effort to strengthen relations between India and Nepal.
“With his passing, Nepal has lost a visionary leader who served its people with dedication and commitment. In his death, India has lost a true and valuable friend,” said Mukherjee.
PM Modi said India had lost a valued friend. He noted that the Nepali Congress lost a big leader who served Nepal for decades and India a valued friend. “Sushil Koirala ji’s simplicity holds lessons for all of us. My condolences to the Koirala family and people of Nepal in this hour of grief,” Modi said in a series of tweets.
Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh also extended his tributes to Koirala. He said that Nepal had lost a powerful voice and a wonderful human being. “He was one of Nepal’s most seasoned politicians and also a true statesman,” he tweeted.
Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi expressed her grief over the death. “He led his country during extremely difficult and testing times and contributed immensely to the transition of Nepal into a republic,” read the statement. “Underlining the close relation with Nepal as also that with the Nepali Congress, to which Koirala belonged, his contribution to fostering Indo-Nepal ties will always be remembered.”
Meanwhile, the European Union expressed condolences over the death of the former prime minister. “We are deeply moved by the sad news of the sudden demise of ex-PM Koirala. We extend our condolences to his family and all the Nepali people,” the EU in Nepal tweeted.
“Sad news out of Nepal today. Our deepest condolences to the Koirala family and to the Nepalese people on the passing of Former PM Koirala,” US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Biswal tweeted early on Tuesday morning.