'His loss will be deeply felt', says U.S. expressing condolences to family of Manohar Parrikar

United States of America's brand ambassador to India, Ken Juster‏ has paid his condolences to the family of former Defence Minister and Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, who passed away at the age of 63 on Sunday after battling Pancreatic Cancer for over a year.

Tributes have poured in from across India for a man who was known for his simplicity and dedication towards work. And the U.S. has also paid its tribute for the late Defence Minister.

"Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go to the family and friends of Manohar Parrikar, Goa Chief Minister and former Indian Defence Minister. He was greatly respected by the United States, and his loss will be deeply felt," Ken Juster's Twitter handle read.

India is observing a day of national mourning on March 18 on account of Manohar Parrikar's demise, with the state of Goa to observe a week's mourning. Manohar Parrikar's last rites are set to be performed at 5 pm on Monday, with the Prime Minister and other senior central ministers set to attend.

One of the senior most and respectable leaders in the political arena, Parrikar was an alumnus from IIT Bombay before he stepped foot into politics.

He was first elected into Goa Assembly in 1994 when he won on a BJP ticket from Panaji constituency. He was one of the first members of BJP in Goa and has been credited in changing the party's fortune in the state. The BJP which earlier had only four members in the state unit rose to its present dominance thanks to his work for the party.

READ: Goa CM Manohar Parrikar's Last Rites To Be Performed In Panaji As Nation Observes Day Of Mourning, PM Modi And Other Leaders To Attend: Updates

Parrikar first became the chief minister of Goa in 2000 and was the first IITian to head a state. He was in the post for two years. 

In the elections which followed in 2002, he was re-elected, but had to step down in 2005 after his government lost the majority.  On January 29, 2005, his government was reduced to a minority in the assembly after four BJP MLAs resigned from the House.

Manohar Parrikar then began his third term as Goa CM in 2012 after his party won the state elections. He held the post for two years, before stepping down to take over as the Defence Minister from Arun Jaitley, who took over as the Finance Minister.

READ: Down To Earth, Respected By Supporters And Rivals, BJP's Fortune-changer In Goa: Read About Manohar Parrikar's Political Life Here

During his time as the Minister of Defence, Parrikar was credited with improving the sector through his diligent decision-making ability. He ceded his position to become the Goa CM again after BJP formed a coalition government in the state following elections in 2017.