Sushma Swaraj passes away: Foreign Ministers who had engaged with her pay emotional respects

The grief of the death of former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj was felt not just in India, but even abroad. The officials who engaged with her during the course of her tenure as the External Affairs Minister also mourned her loss. The Foreign Ministers of Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives wrote that they were ‘saddened’ to hear about the veteran leader’s demise while sending their condolences to her family and well-wishers. 

The Foreign Minister of Bhutan, Tandi Doji tweeted, “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.” 

S Rabbani, the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan lauded the veteran BJP leader as a ‘distinguished figure’, who represented the country with distinction and determination, he tweeted, “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.” 

Abdulla Shahid, Foreign Minister of Maldives termed as a ‘Stateswoman extraordinaire, and diplomat par excellence. A warm human being. Key architect of renewed Maldives-India friendship.’ He also shared a video of their meeting. 

Sushma Swaraj had served the External Affairs Minister from 2014-2019 in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first term in charge. 

From her prompt responses in rescuing people stranded at various locations across the globe and headline-grabbing reactions on Twitter, she was extremely popular among the youngsters during her stint. 

Sushma Swaraj passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest at her residence in New Delhi. She was rushed to the AIIMS Hospital where she breathed her last at 10.50 PM. She was 67.