After the sudden demise of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday, the world mourned her death by expressing their condolences on social media.
Former President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai took to his official Twitter handle to express grief. “Deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Behinji Sushma Swaraj,” he wrote.
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. @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/fHT70dH58J
— Hamid Karzai (@KarzaiH) August 6, 2019
In a series of tweets, French Ambassador to India, Alexandre Ziegler, expressed his sadness on Tuesday night, in which he called Sushma Swaraj “one of India’s most respected leaders “who”showed remarkable dedication to serving her fellow citizens.”
The tweet by Ziegler said, “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
— Alexandre Ziegler (@FranceinIndia) August 6, 2019
Her demise has shaken India and the world alike. Tributes are pouring in from across the world as news spread of her sudden death.
Maldives External Affairs Minister, Abdulla Shahid also condoled senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj’s passing away. He wrote on Twitter, “Stateswoman extraordinaire, diplomat par excellence”.
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
Salahuddin Rabbani, Afghanistan Foreign Affairs Minister shared, I’m saddened to hear of the untimely demise of Sushma Swaraj”.
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
Nepal’s Prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, who had several meetings with Sushma Swaraj during her tenure as the External Affairs Minister shared, “Deeply shocked to learn of the passing away of #SushmaSwaraj, a senior political leader of India& former External Affairs Minister. Heartfelt condolences& deepest sympathies to the Govt& people of India as well as to the bereaved family members.
Deeply shocked to learn of the passing away of Smt. Sushma Swaraj, a senior political leader of India and former External Affairs Minister. Heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the Government and people of India as well as to the bereaved family members.
— K P Sharma Oli (@kpsharmaoli) August 7, 2019
Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong offered his heartfelt message to India. He said, “Sad to learn about the passing away of SushmaSwaraj.”
Sad to learn about the passing away of Smt #SushmaSwaraj, former Minister of External Affairs of India. Appreciate her contributions to #China–#India relations. Express my deep condolences to her family.
— Sun Weidong (@China_Amb_India) August 7, 2019
Earlier today, UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa condoled Swaraj’s death by calling her “an extraordinary woman and leader”.
She further tweeted, “I had the honor of meeting her in my visits to #India, & will always remember her fondly. My deepest condolences to all of her loved ones”
Saddened by the news of the passing of @SushmaSwaraj, an extraordinary woman & leader who devoted her life to public service. I had the honor of meeting her in my visits to #India, & will always remember her fondly. My deepest condolences to all of her loved ones @IndiaUNNewYork
— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) August 6, 2019
Global icon and humanitarian, The Dalai Lama, spoke of the veteran leader’s “compassionate concern for people”.
“I offer my prayers & my condolences at this difficult time. Sushma Swaraj enjoyed immense respect for her compassionate concern for people & her friendly demeanour. In devoting herself to service of others, she led a very meaningful life,” he further added.
The official social media handle of US Embassy in Delhi tweeted: “#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.”
Pakistan’s Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Hussain stated that he will miss his social media melee with her. “She was a giant in her own right,” the Pakistani minister wrote.
Fawad Hussain and Sushma Swaraj had a Twitter spat in March 2019 over Hindu girls who were allegedly abducted in Pakistan.
Condolences to the family of Smt Sushma Swaraj, ll miss twitter melee with her, she was a giant in her own right, RIP https://t.co/MEVgLAK5jM
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) August 6, 2019
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also mourns Swaraj’s death, saying Sushma Swaraj was a good friend of Bangladesh.
“In her death, we’ve lost a true friend,” Bangladesh PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted the premier as saying.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh will always remember her contributions to taking the bilateral relationship to a new height.
The prime minister prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family.
Sushma Swaraj was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in a critical condition On Tuesday evening. She was brought to AIIMS by her family and was straightaway taken to the emergency ward, soon after which, she died.
Swaraj had put out a tweet in the evening congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Centre’s bold move to revoke special status for Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate the border state into two Union Territories secured Parliament’s approval.
She was succeeded by former foreign secretary S Jaishankar as the new External Affairs Minister in the second term of Modi government.