Zarif Condoles with India over His Former Counterpart’s Death

In a tweet early Wednesday, Zarif sent his “deepest condolences” to the government and the people of India on the passing of former External Affairs Minister.

“I had many fruitful and useful discussions with her while she held office, and am saddened by her sudden passing,” he said.

“May she forever rest in peace.”

Swaraj, who served as foreign minister for five years, suffered a cardiac arrest on Tuesday, the Press Trust of India said.

She was a popular minister in Narendra Modi’s first term as prime minister, but did not contest parliamentary elections earlier this year.

She became known for helping Indians stuck abroad by responding to them on Twitter.

Swaraj, 67, had been suffering from poor health and had a kidney transplant in 2016.

The news of her death prompted an outpouring of grief and condolences both from fellow politicians and from Indians across the globe.

“A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end,” Prime Minster Narendra Modi said on Twitter.

“India grieves the demise of a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and bettering lives of the poor. Sushma Swaraj Ji was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration,” he said.