<p>Former External Affairs Minister and seven-time Parliamentarian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-to-be-cremated-with-full-state-honours-on-wednesday-afternoon-bjp-241240">Sushma Swaraj passed away</a> on Tuesday night aged 67, leaving behind a void in not just the Bharatiya Janata Party but in the political fabric of the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>From the country's tallest leaders to the common man, all <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-was-a-good-friend-of-bangladesh-says-pm-sheikh-hasina-241237">mourned her loss</a> and condoled her sudden demise. Social media was flooded with posts in her memory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter on late Tuesday night and in a series of tweets, condoled her sudden demise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end. 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 for crores of people," his tweet read.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I can’t forget the manner in which Sushma Ji worked tirelessly as EAM in the last 5 years. Even when her health was not good, she would do everything possible to do justice to her work and remain up to date with matters of her Ministry. The spirit and commitment was unparalleled.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1158802261935415296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Prime Minister called her an "excellent administrator", "prolific orator" and an "outstanding Parliamentarian" who "worked tirelessly" even when her health was not good.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-former-external-affairs-minister-passes-away-at-age-67-241220">Sushma Ji’s demise</a> is a personal loss. She will be remembered fondly for everything that she’s done for India. My thoughts are with her family, supporters and admirers in this very unfortunate hour. Om Shanti," the prime minister posted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah described her loss "an irreparable" one to the BJP and Indian politics.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">दुखद! श्रीमती सुषमा स्वराज जी का निधन अपूरणीय क्षति है। ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति एवं परिजनों को शक्ति दे। कुशल नेतृत्व एवं उत्कर्ष कार्यकुशलता के लिए सुषमा जी हमेशा स्मरणीय रहेंगी।शत् शत् नमन। विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि!</p>
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/yadavakhilesh/status/1158809961649954816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"On behalf of all BJP workers, I express my deepest condolences to her family, supporters and well-wishers. God bless the departed soul forever. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti," his tweet read.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">एक अत्यंत दुखद समाचार ! एक बहुत ही प्रबल राजनीतिज्ञ , एक मिलनसार व्यक्तिव , एक अद्भुत प्रवक्ता । आत्मा की शांति के लिए , प्रार्थना 🙏 <a href="https://t.co/TRikqtswd9">https://t.co/TRikqtswd9</a></p>
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SrBachchan/status/1158837920217759746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that she served the "nation with diligence and brilliance". "Her contribution to the nation and the party will always be remembered," his tweet read.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called her "a very warm and remarkable person".</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi lauded Swaraj as an "extraordinary political leader with friendships across party lines".</p>

<p>The film fraternity was also deeply saddened by Swaraj's sudden demise.</p>

<p>"An extremely sad news! A very strong politician, a sociable person, a wonderful spokesperson. Prayer for peace of soul," tweeted out Amitabh Bachchan.</p>

<p>"Saddened to hear about the sudden demise of Sushma Swaraj ji . May her soul rest in peace," Anushka Sharma posted on the microblogging site.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Saddened to hear about the sudden demise of Sushma Swaraj ji . May her soul rest in peace 🙏</p>
— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnushkaSharma/status/1158812452240252928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Swaraj had been a seven-time Member of Parliament (MP) and a three-time MLA.</p>

<p>She had also served as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting under former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.</p>

<p>She was also the Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs from January 2003 until May 2004. Swaraj was also the Leader of Opposition in the for the 15th Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>She&nbsp;was appointed as the Minister of External Affairs in 2014 when BJP won the general elections.&nbsp;She didn't contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on health grounds.</p>

<p>Hours before her death,&nbsp;Swaraj congratulated the central government for its historic decision to abrogate Article 370.</p>

<p>“Narendra Modi ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime,” she said in her tweet.</p>

<p>Swaraj was rushed to AIIMS Delhi on Tuesday evening on having a cardiac arrest.&nbsp;</p>


Former External Affairs Minister and seven-time Parliamentarian Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night aged 67, leaving behind a void in not just the Bharatiya Janata Party but in the political fabric of the country.

Former External Affairs Minister and seven-time Parliamentarian Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night aged 67, leaving behind a void in not just the Bharatiya Janata Party but in the political fabric of the country. From the country's tallest leaders to the common man, all mourned her loss and condoled her sudden demise. Social media was flooded with posts in her memory. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter on late Tuesday night and in a series of tweets, condoled her sudden demise. "A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end. 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 for crores of people," his tweet read. I can’t forget the manner in which Sushma Ji worked tirelessly as EAM in the last 5 years. Even when her health was not good, she would do everything possible to do justice to her work and remain up to date with matters of her Ministry. The spirit and commitment was unparalleled. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2019 × The Prime Minister called her an "excellent administrator", "prolific orator" and an "outstanding Parliamentarian" who "worked tirelessly" even when her health was not good. "Sushma Ji’s demise is a personal loss. She will be remembered fondly for everything that she’s done for India. My thoughts are with her family, supporters and admirers in this very unfortunate hour. Om Shanti," the prime minister posted. Union Home Minister Amit Shah described her loss "an irreparable" one to the BJP and Indian politics. दुखद! श्रीमती सुषमा स्वराज जी का निधन अपूरणीय क्षति है। ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति एवं परिजनों को शक्ति दे। कुशल नेतृत्व एवं उत्कर्ष कार्यकुशलता के लिए सुषमा जी हमेशा स्मरणीय रहेंगी।शत् शत् नमन। विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि! — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 6, 2019 × "On behalf of all BJP workers, I express my deepest condolences to her family, supporters and well-wishers. God bless the departed soul forever. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti," his tweet read. एक अत्यंत दुखद समाचार ! एक बहुत ही प्रबल राजनीतिज्ञ , एक मिलनसार व्यक्तिव , एक अद्भुत प्रवक्ता । आत्मा की शांति के लिए , प्रार्थना 🙏 https://t.co/TRikqtswd9 — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) August 6, 2019 × Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that she served the "nation with diligence and brilliance". "Her contribution to the nation and the party will always be remembered," his tweet read. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called her "a very warm and remarkable person". Rahul Gandhi lauded Swaraj as an "extraordinary political leader with friendships across party lines". The film fraternity was also deeply saddened by Swaraj's sudden demise. "An extremely sad news! A very strong politician, a sociable person, a wonderful spokesperson. Prayer for peace of soul," tweeted out Amitabh Bachchan. "Saddened to hear about the sudden demise of Sushma Swaraj ji . May her soul rest in peace," Anushka Sharma posted on the microblogging site. Saddened to hear about the sudden demise of Sushma Swaraj ji . May her soul rest in peace 🙏 — Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) August 6, 2019 × Swaraj had been a seven-time Member of Parliament (MP) and a three-time MLA. She had also served as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting under former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. She was also the Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs from January 2003 until May 2004. Swaraj was also the Leader of Opposition in the for the 15th Lok Sabha. She was appointed as the Minister of External Affairs in 2014 when BJP won the general elections. She didn't contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on health grounds. Hours before her death, Swaraj congratulated the central government for its historic decision to abrogate Article 370. “Narendra Modi ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime,” she said in her tweet. Swaraj was rushed to AIIMS Delhi on Tuesday evening on having a cardiac arrest.

From leaders, politicians, celebrities to common man, all flood Twitter in memory of Sushma Swaraj

<p>Former external affairs minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-former-external-affairs-minister-passes-away-at-age-67-241220">Sushma Swaraj who passed away</a> on Tuesday night will be cremated with full state honours, BJP working president Jagat Prakash Nadda said.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj was rushed to All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) late on Tuesday evening after her health deteriorated.</p>

<p>According to ANI sources at AIIMS, the 67-year-old was feeling restless at 9 pm and reached the hospital at around 9:30 pm in an ambulance. A team of doctors tried to revive her for 70 to 80 minutes but failed in their attempt. Swaraj was declared dead at 10:50 pm.</p>

<p>Watch Video:</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/a-glorious-chapter-in-indian-politics-comes-to-an-end-tweets-pm-modi-on-sushma-swarajs-demise-241233/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"Sushmaji&nbsp;is no more with us, it is a sad incident for not only for the BJP but the whole country," Jagat Prakash Nadda said, adding, "she inspired us, her last tweet tells us how she was involved in serving the nation in an emotional way."</p>

<p>"Her mortal remains will be kept at her residence for people to pay last respects. Around 12 pm tomorrow, her mortal remains will be brought to the BJP headquarters. At 3 pm, she will be taken to Lodhi road crematorium, where her last rites will be performed with full state honours," the BJP working president informed.</p>

<p>Union Minister Nitin Gadkari while expressing his condolences said the former external affairs minister played a key role in the party's expansion.</p>

<p>"Passing away of Sushmaji is a personal loss for me&nbsp;and the country. Since the inception of the party, she played a key role in its expansion. When I was the president of the BJP, she gave me guidance like an elder sister," Gadkari added.</p>


Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj who passed away on Tuesday night will be cremated with full state honours, BJP working president Jagat Prakash Nadda said.

Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj who passed away on Tuesday night will be cremated with full state honours, BJP working president Jagat Prakash Nadda said. Sushma Swaraj was rushed to All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) late on Tuesday evening after her health deteriorated. According to ANI sources at AIIMS, the 67-year-old was feeling restless at 9 pm and reached the hospital at around 9:30 pm in an ambulance. A team of doctors tried to revive her for 70 to 80 minutes but failed in their attempt. Swaraj was declared dead at 10:50 pm. Watch Video: "Sushmaji is no more with us, it is a sad incident for not only for the BJP but the whole country," Jagat Prakash Nadda said, adding, "she inspired us, her last tweet tells us how she was involved in serving the nation in an emotional way." "Her mortal remains will be kept at her residence for people to pay last respects. Around 12 pm tomorrow, her mortal remains will be brought to the BJP headquarters. At 3 pm, she will be taken to Lodhi road crematorium, where her last rites will be performed with full state honours," the BJP working president informed. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari while expressing his condolences said the former external affairs minister played a key role in the party's expansion. "Passing away of Sushmaji is a personal loss for me and the country. Since the inception of the party, she played a key role in its expansion. When I was the president of the BJP, she gave me guidance like an elder sister," Gadkari added.

Sushma Swaraj to be cremated with full state honours on Wednesday afternoon: BJP

<p>Bangladesh Prime Minister&nbsp;Sheikh Hasina expressed her condolences <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-former-external-affairs-minister-passes-away-at-age-67-241220">on the death of former external affairs</a> minister Sushma Swaraj&nbsp;on Tuesday night as the nation grieved her death.</p>

<p>"She (Sushma) was a good friend of Bangladesh. With her death Bangladesh has lost a good friend," the Bangladesh prime minister said.</p>

<p>"Bangladesh will recall her contributions in taking the relationship between the two countries to a new height," the Bangladesh prime minister said in a statement.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deeply grieved to hear the demise of my good friend Smt <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SushmaSawraj?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SushmaSawraj</a>; 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! <a href="https://t.co/kcxbdsimxI">pic.twitter.com/kcxbdsimxI</a></p>
— Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) <a href="https://twitter.com/abdulla_shahid/status/1158811966393028608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid in his message said Sushma Swaraj was a "stateswoman extraordinaire" and "diplomat par excellence".</p>

<p>"A warm human being. A key architect of renewed Maldives-India friendship. May she rest in peace!, he said.</p>

<p>Former Afghanistan president while expressing his condolences said: "Deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Behinji Sushma Swaraj. She was a tall leader and a great orator and people’s person."</p>

<p>"My profound condolences to the people of India and her family and friends," the former Afghanistan president said.</p>

<p>The former external affairs minister passed away after a cardiac arrest on Tuesday night. Sushma Swaraj will be cremated on Wednesday afternoon at Lodhi road crematorium with full state honours, the BJP announced late on Tuesday night.</p>


Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her condolences on the death of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday night as the nation grieved her death.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her condolences on the death of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday night as the nation grieved her death. "She (Sushma) was a good friend of Bangladesh. With her death Bangladesh has lost a good friend," the Bangladesh prime minister said. "Bangladesh will recall her contributions in taking the relationship between the two countries to a new height," the Bangladesh prime minister said in a statement. 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 × Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid in his message said Sushma Swaraj was a "stateswoman extraordinaire" and "diplomat par excellence". "A warm human being. A key architect of renewed Maldives-India friendship. May she rest in peace!, he said. Former Afghanistan president while expressing his condolences said: "Deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Behinji Sushma Swaraj. She was a tall leader and a great orator and people’s person." "My profound condolences to the people of India and her family and friends," the former Afghanistan president said. The former external affairs minister passed away after a cardiac arrest on Tuesday night. Sushma Swaraj will be cremated on Wednesday afternoon at Lodhi road crematorium with full state honours, the BJP announced late on Tuesday night.

Sushma Swaraj was a good friend of Bangladesh, says PM Sheikh Hasina

<p>Former external affairs minister and BJP leader&nbsp;Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night in New Delhi's AIIMS.</p>

<p>Swaraj suffered a cardiac arrest. She was administered CPR but did not respond, according to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.</p>

<p>A senior BJP leader, Swaraj had been a seven-time Member of Parliament (MP) and a three-time MLA.</p>

<p>Swaraj had also served as the information and broadcasting ministry under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.</p>

<p>She was also the Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs from January 2003 until May 2004. Swaraj was also the Leader of Opposition in the for the 15th Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>She&nbsp;was appointed as the minister of external affairs in 2014 when BJP won the general elections.&nbsp;She didn't contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on health ground.</p>

<p>Hours before her death,&nbsp;Swaraj congratulated the central government for its historic decision to abrogate Article 370.</p>

<p>“Narendra Modi ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime,” she said in her tweet.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">प्रधान मंत्री जी - आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.</p>
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1158737840752037889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Born on February 14, 1953, she was a former Supreme Court lawyer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2014, Swaraj&nbsp;won from Vidisha constituency in Madhya Pradesh for the second term.</p>


Former external affairs minister and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night in New Delhi's AIIMS. Swaraj suffered a cardiac arrest. She was administered CPR but did not respond, according to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

Former external affairs minister and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night in New Delhi's AIIMS. Swaraj suffered a cardiac arrest. She was administered CPR but did not respond, according to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. A senior BJP leader, Swaraj had been a seven-time Member of Parliament (MP) and a three-time MLA. Swaraj had also served as the information and broadcasting ministry under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. She was also the Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs from January 2003 until May 2004. Swaraj was also the Leader of Opposition in the for the 15th Lok Sabha. She was appointed as the minister of external affairs in 2014 when BJP won the general elections. She didn't contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on health ground. Hours before her death, Swaraj congratulated the central government for its historic decision to abrogate Article 370. “Narendra Modi ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime,” she said in her tweet. प्रधान मंत्री जी - आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. @narendramodi ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 6, 2019 × Born on February 14, 1953, she was a former Supreme Court lawyer. In 2014, Swaraj won from Vidisha constituency in Madhya Pradesh for the second term.

Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj passes away at 67

<p>Geeta, the hearing and speech impaired woman who returned to India in 2015 after being stranded in Pakistan for several years, paid a moving tribute to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/former-external-affairs-minister-and-senior-bjp-leader-sushma-swaraj-cremated-with-full-state-honours-241354">Sushma Swaraj </a>on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The former External Affairs Minister was instrumental in getting the woman back to India. Swaraj had been a guardian figure to the woman who has not been able to find her family so far.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Paying her tributes in sign language, Geeta said that with Swaraj's demise she had lost a "mother figure".&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Indore: Geeta, the Indian girl who was brought back from Pakistan in 2015 when late Sushma Swaraj was External Affairs Minister, pays tribute. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadhyaPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadhyaPradesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/OtksbYMpff">pic.twitter.com/OtksbYMpff</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1158994021957754885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Her interpreter and administrator in Indore's Deaf Bilingual Academy, Monika Punjabi, said that they felt great shock at the passing away of Swaraj."Swaraj used to regard Geeta as her daughter.</p>

<p>Now Geeta hopes that the government will help her in a similar way Swaraj has helped her in the past," Monika said. Known as a great orator and a leader with a humane touch, Sushma Swaraj breathed her last on late Tuesday night after a massive cardiac arrest. She was 67.</p>

<p>Swaraj was appointed foreign minister in the first term of Modi government in 2014. She opted out of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections citing health reasons.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Geeta, the hearing and speech impaired woman who returned to India in 2015 after being stranded in Pakistan for several years, paid a moving tribute to Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday.

Geeta, the hearing and speech impaired woman who returned to India in 2015 after being stranded in Pakistan for several years, paid a moving tribute to Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday. The former External Affairs Minister was instrumental in getting the woman back to India. Swaraj had been a guardian figure to the woman who has not been able to find her family so far. Paying her tributes in sign language, Geeta said that with Swaraj's demise she had lost a "mother figure". #WATCH Indore: Geeta, the Indian girl who was brought back from Pakistan in 2015 when late Sushma Swaraj was External Affairs Minister, pays tribute. #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/OtksbYMpff — ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2019 × Her interpreter and administrator in Indore's Deaf Bilingual Academy, Monika Punjabi, said that they felt great shock at the passing away of Swaraj."Swaraj used to regard Geeta as her daughter. Now Geeta hopes that the government will help her in a similar way Swaraj has helped her in the past," Monika said. Known as a great orator and a leader with a humane touch, Sushma Swaraj breathed her last on late Tuesday night after a massive cardiac arrest. She was 67. Swaraj was appointed foreign minister in the first term of Modi government in 2014. She opted out of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections citing health reasons.

Geeta, who was rescued from Pakistan, pays tribute to Sushma Swaraj in sign language

<p>Former external affairs minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj was cremated with full state honours on Wednesday at Lodhi crematorium in Delhi.</p>

<p>Swaraj died following a massive heart attack on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of Sushma Swaraj performed the last rites before the mortal remains of the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swarajs-demise-is-a-personal-loss-pm-modi-241253">&nbsp;BJP veteran</a> was laid to rest.</p>

<p><img alt="Sushma " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f921547-c9eb-4ad5-9ae9-3740eb808573" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/swaraj%20image_0_0.jpg" /></p>

<p>PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP veteran LK Advani and former Bhutan prime miniser Tshering Tobgay among others were present at the at Lodhi crematorium</p>

<p>Earlier, the mortal remains of&nbsp;Swaraj was kept in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-final-rites-sushma-swarajs-mortal-remains-moved-to-bjp-headquarters-241315"> BJP headquarters</a> where President Ram Nath Kovind and BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an emotional tribute to the veteran BJP leader.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hours before her demise, Swaraj in a tweet congratulated Modi on Article 370 victory and said '' I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime''.</p>


Former external affairs minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj was cremated with full state honours on Wednesday at Lodhi crematorium in Delhi. Swaraj died following a massive heart attack on Tuesday.

Former external affairs minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj was cremated with full state honours on Wednesday at Lodhi crematorium in Delhi. Swaraj died following a massive heart attack on Tuesday. Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of Sushma Swaraj performed the last rites before the mortal remains of the BJP veteran was laid to rest. PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP veteran LK Advani and former Bhutan prime miniser Tshering Tobgay among others were present at the at Lodhi crematorium Earlier, the mortal remains of Swaraj was kept in BJP headquarters where President Ram Nath Kovind and BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an emotional tribute to the veteran BJP leader. Hours before her demise, Swaraj in a tweet congratulated Modi on Article 370 victory and said '' I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime''.

Former external affairs minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj cremated with full state honours 

Sushma Swaraj makes the final journey, her mortal remains brought to Crematorium for last rites.

Sushma Swaraj funeral: Mortal Remains brought to Crematorium for last rites

Former Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj died at the age of 67 in the national capital on Tuesday. She was admitted to AIIMS on Tuesday evening after her health condition deteriorated. She passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest late in the night. After the BJP stalwart’s death, her mortal remains were taken to her residence, where President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders paid their last respects to her.

Sushma Swaraj's demise: BJP workers & leaders pay tribute

Former Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj died at the age of 67 in the national capital on Tuesday. She was admitted to AIIMS on Tuesday evening after her health condition deteriorated. She passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest late in the night. After the BJP stalwart’s death, her mortal remains were taken to her residence, where President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders paid their last respects to her. Her last rites will be held at the Lodhi Road electric crematorium in the national capital at around 3 pm on Wednesday.

Sushma Swaraj's demise: Last tributes to 'People's Minister'

Sushma Swaraj's demise: Mortal remains at BJP HQ

Sushma Swaraj: The people's minister

Former external affairs minister and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj passed away at New Delhi's AIIMS.

Nitin Gadkari, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ravi Shankar Prasad reacted on Sushma Swaraj’s demise

Sushma Swaraj's demise: Final respects at BJP HQ till 3 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in tweets, condoled the demise of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who passed away at the age of 67 in New Delhi and said that 'A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end'

'A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end' tweets PM Modi on Sushma Swaraj’s demise

Reactions from Leaders and Political Analyst on Sushma Swaraj's demise

Sushma Swaraj's body being taken to BJP HQ

Sushma Swaraj's body to be kept at BJP HQ from 12 pm till 3 pm

<p>Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/big-win-for-india-icj-grants-consular-access-to-kulbhushan-jadhav-236703">victory of India at the International Court of Justice </a>on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Referring to the judgement as "great victory" for India, Swaraj said, "I wholeheartedly welcome the verdict of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/full-text-of-icj-order-in-kulbhushan-jadhav-case-236712">International Court of Justice</a> in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav. It is a great victory for India."</p>

<p>"I thank the Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi for our initiative to take Jadhav's case before International Court of Justice. I thank Mr.Harish Salve for presenting India's case before ICJ very effectively and successfully."</p>

<p>"I hope the verdict will provide the much needed solace to the family members of Kulbhushan Jadhav, "she added.</p>

<p>It was during Sushma's tenure as External Affairs Minister that India had approached ICJ in the case.</p>

<p>Soon after Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother returned after meeting him in Pakistan in December 2017, they met the then EAM Sushma Swaraj. The meeting was also attended by S Jaishankar (incumbent EAM), then foreign secretary in MEA.</p>

<p>A few days after the meeting, Sushma had slammed Pakistan for using Jadhav's meeting with his family for propaganda.</p>

<p>In a big win for India, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday gave&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-kulbhushan-jadhav-case-verdict-today-at-international-court-of-justice-236670">consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav</a>, who was arrested and given death sentence by Pakistan on charges of espionage.</p>

<p>Upholding India's stand that Pakistan has violated the 1963 Vienna Convention, the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/kulbhushan-jadhav-case-what-is-the-international-court-of-justice-and-how-does-it-work-236692">&nbsp;ICJ&nbsp;</a>said that Jadhav's trial by a military court in Pakistan is not accepted thereby stopping his execution.</p>

<p>The death sentence by a Pakistani military court was questioned by India, which said its based on an "extracted confession".&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kulbhushan-jadhav-a-profile-236673">Jadhav</a>, a former Indian navy commander, was arrested in Pakistan in March 2016 and convicted of spying.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter after the victory of India at the International Court of Justice on Wednesday. Referring to the judgement as "great victory" for India, Swaraj said, "I wholeheartedly welcome the verdict of International Court of Justice in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter after the victory of India at the International Court of Justice on Wednesday. Referring to the judgement as "great victory" for India, Swaraj said, "I wholeheartedly welcome the verdict of International Court of Justice in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav. It is a great victory for India." "I thank the Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi for our initiative to take Jadhav's case before International Court of Justice. I thank Mr.Harish Salve for presenting India's case before ICJ very effectively and successfully." "I hope the verdict will provide the much needed solace to the family members of Kulbhushan Jadhav, "she added. It was during Sushma's tenure as External Affairs Minister that India had approached ICJ in the case. Soon after Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother returned after meeting him in Pakistan in December 2017, they met the then EAM Sushma Swaraj. The meeting was also attended by S Jaishankar (incumbent EAM), then foreign secretary in MEA. A few days after the meeting, Sushma had slammed Pakistan for using Jadhav's meeting with his family for propaganda. In a big win for India, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday gave consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested and given death sentence by Pakistan on charges of espionage. Upholding India's stand that Pakistan has violated the 1963 Vienna Convention, the ICJ said that Jadhav's trial by a military court in Pakistan is not accepted thereby stopping his execution. The death sentence by a Pakistani military court was questioned by India, which said its based on an "extracted confession". Jadhav, a former Indian navy commander, was arrested in Pakistan in March 2016 and convicted of spying.

Sushma Swaraj welcomes ICJ's verdict in Kulbhushan Jadhav case; thanks PM Modi, Harish Salve

<p>Pakistan on Monday decided in principle to let Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan where he has to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on June 13-14, where his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan would also be present.</p>

<p>Pakistan had fully closed its airspace on February 26 after an Indian Air Force (IAF) strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot. Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11.</p>

<p>India requested Pakistan to let Prime Minister Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan.</p>

<p>The official confirmed to PTI that the Imran Khan government has approved in principle the Indian government's request to let Prime Minister Modi's aircraft fly over the Pakistani airspace to Bishkek.</p>

<p>"The Indian government will be conveyed about the decision once the procedural formalities are completed. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will also be directed to notify the airmen subsequently," the official said, adding Pakistan was hopeful that India would respond to its offer for peace dialogue.</p>

<p>He said Prime Minister Khan has recently written a letter to his Indian counterpart stressing Pakistan requires a solution for all geopolitical issues including Kashmir between the two neighbouring states.</p>

<p>The official further said Pakistan is still optimistic that India will respond to peace offer despite the fact both premiers were not meeting at the sidelines of the SCO Summit.</p>

<p>External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in New Delhi said no bilateral meeting has been arranged between Prime Minister Modi and his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.</p>

<p>Pakistan had given special permission to India's then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to fly directly through Pakistani airspace to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' meet in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on May 21.</p>

<p>Apart from the two routes through southern Pakistan, the neighbouring country's airspace remains closed for commercial airliners.</p>

<p>The IAF announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post the Balakot airstrike have been removed. However, it is unlikely to benefit any commercial airliners unless Pakistan reciprocates and opens its complete airspace.</p>

<p>Among Indian airlines, the international operations of Air India and IndiGo have been affected by the closure of Pakistani airspace.</p>

<p>IndiGo, India's largest airline by the share in the domestic passenger market, has been unable to start direct flights from Delhi to Istanbul due to the closure of Pakistani airspace.</p>

<p>The low-cost carrier started the Delhi-Istanbul flight in March this year. It has to take the longer route every time over the Arabian Sea and make a stop either at Doha in Qatar or at Ahmedabad in Gujarat for refuelling.</p>

<p>Similarly, full-service carrier Air India is unable to fly non-stop flights from Delhi to the US since the closure of Pakistani airspace.</p>

<p>Pakistan, however, has extended its partial airspace ban on the eastern border with India until June 14.&nbsp;</p>


Pakistan on Monday decided in principle to let Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan where he has to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on June 13-14, where his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan would also be present.

Pakistan on Monday decided in principle to let Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan where he has to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on June 13-14, where his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan would also be present. Pakistan had fully closed its airspace on February 26 after an Indian Air Force (IAF) strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot. Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11. India requested Pakistan to let Prime Minister Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. The official confirmed to PTI that the Imran Khan government has approved in principle the Indian government's request to let Prime Minister Modi's aircraft fly over the Pakistani airspace to Bishkek. "The Indian government will be conveyed about the decision once the procedural formalities are completed. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will also be directed to notify the airmen subsequently," the official said, adding Pakistan was hopeful that India would respond to its offer for peace dialogue. He said Prime Minister Khan has recently written a letter to his Indian counterpart stressing Pakistan requires a solution for all geopolitical issues including Kashmir between the two neighbouring states. The official further said Pakistan is still optimistic that India will respond to peace offer despite the fact both premiers were not meeting at the sidelines of the SCO Summit. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in New Delhi said no bilateral meeting has been arranged between Prime Minister Modi and his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. Pakistan had given special permission to India's then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to fly directly through Pakistani airspace to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' meet in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on May 21. Apart from the two routes through southern Pakistan, the neighbouring country's airspace remains closed for commercial airliners. The IAF announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post the Balakot airstrike have been removed. However, it is unlikely to benefit any commercial airliners unless Pakistan reciprocates and opens its complete airspace. Among Indian airlines, the international operations of Air India and IndiGo have been affected by the closure of Pakistani airspace. IndiGo, India's largest airline by the share in the domestic passenger market, has been unable to start direct flights from Delhi to Istanbul due to the closure of Pakistani airspace. The low-cost carrier started the Delhi-Istanbul flight in March this year. It has to take the longer route every time over the Arabian Sea and make a stop either at Doha in Qatar or at Ahmedabad in Gujarat for refuelling. Similarly, full-service carrier Air India is unable to fly non-stop flights from Delhi to the US since the closure of Pakistani airspace. Pakistan, however, has extended its partial airspace ban on the eastern border with India until June 14.

Pakistan decides to let PM Modi's plane fly over its airspace to Bishkek for SCO summit

<p>An 11-year-old Polish girl has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly-appointed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-language-will-be-imposed-says-foreign-minister-subrahmanyam-jaishankar-223700">External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar </a>seeking the return of her family to India.</p>

<p>Alicja Wanatko, in her handwritten letter to Modi and Jaishankar, spoke about her fond memories of her Goa stay and her love for Lord Shiva and the Nanda Devi mountain.</p>

<p>"I love my school in Goa, the beautiful nature and I am missing my volunteering in the animal rescue centre there where I was helping to take care of cows. My mum could not re-enter India on 24th March 2019 after a short trip out and we were told we were blacklisted due to our overstay," Alicja&nbsp;said in her letter, which was tweeted to Modi and Jaishankar by her mother Marta Kotlarska.</p>

<p>In April her mother, Marta Kotlarska, had also pleaded to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/proud-to-follow-in-sushma-swarajs-footsteps-says-new-external-affairs-minister-jaishankar-223335"> former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj</a>. She had claimed that she was blacklisted by the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Chamoli in Uttarakhand for overstaying "due to a misunderstanding".</p>

<p>The letter has been posted by her mother on Twitter.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">the letter my daughther who is out of school due to lack of action from MHA officers has written to Honoreable Prime Minister of India for help in our case <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://t.co/PVIolpD9Ez">pic.twitter.com/PVIolpD9Ez</a></p>
— Marta Kotlarska (@KotlarskaMarta) <a href="https://twitter.com/KotlarskaMarta/status/1135059227678928896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>She also claims that she had paid the requisite fines prescribed by law.</p>

<p>According to reports, Marta and her daughter had arrived in Goa from Warsaw in September 2018. She is an artist and photographer by profession and had come to India to capture Goan culture.</p>

<p>She had left for Sri Lanka a few days earlier from Goa because she was about to exceed her 180-day limit of stay in India and visa renewal norms required for foreign nationals to formally re-enter the country. But as she arrived in the country, she was turned away from the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, a report by news agency IANS said.</p>

<p>She was later allowed to come back to pick up her daughter and left the country within&nbsp;a few days.</p>

<p>According to the report,&nbsp;the mother and daughter are currently in Cambodia and awaiting a possible return to India.</p>

<p>"Despite not being Indian citizens, we call it home," Alicja Wanatko adds in her letter.</p>

<p>"It feels like everything is just destroyed again. I pray to Shiva and Nanda Devi to help us and I have decided to write to you because you are the most powerful person that can help me and my mum come back to India, my home. Please help us and allow to remove us from this blacklist," she added.</p>

<p>Her mother also tagged newly-appointed Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet and asked for help.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sir big congratulations on becoming Home Minister. Im writing for your help to remove myself and my minor child who studies in India from blacklist on entering the country. Case is in Mha but officers are not responding to emails. We are praying to God for help. <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmitShah</a> <a href="https://t.co/qnad7JqA4V">https://t.co/qnad7JqA4V</a> <a href="https://t.co/itEDrHgvrm">pic.twitter.com/itEDrHgvrm</a></p>
— Marta Kotlarska (@KotlarskaMarta) <a href="https://twitter.com/KotlarskaMarta/status/1135083412606218242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


An 11-year-old Polish girl has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly-appointed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking the return of her family to India.

An 11-year-old Polish girl has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly-appointed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking the return of her family to India. Alicja Wanatko, in her handwritten letter to Modi and Jaishankar, spoke about her fond memories of her Goa stay and her love for Lord Shiva and the Nanda Devi mountain. "I love my school in Goa, the beautiful nature and I am missing my volunteering in the animal rescue centre there where I was helping to take care of cows. My mum could not re-enter India on 24th March 2019 after a short trip out and we were told we were blacklisted due to our overstay," Alicja said in her letter, which was tweeted to Modi and Jaishankar by her mother Marta Kotlarska. In April her mother, Marta Kotlarska, had also pleaded to former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj. She had claimed that she was blacklisted by the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Chamoli in Uttarakhand for overstaying "due to a misunderstanding". The letter has been posted by her mother on Twitter. the letter my daughther who is out of school due to lack of action from MHA officers has written to Honoreable Prime Minister of India for help in our case @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/PVIolpD9Ez — Marta Kotlarska (@KotlarskaMarta) June 2, 2019 × She also claims that she had paid the requisite fines prescribed by law. According to reports, Marta and her daughter had arrived in Goa from Warsaw in September 2018. She is an artist and photographer by profession and had come to India to capture Goan culture. She had left for Sri Lanka a few days earlier from Goa because she was about to exceed her 180-day limit of stay in India and visa renewal norms required for foreign nationals to formally re-enter the country. But as she arrived in the country, she was turned away from the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, a report by news agency IANS said. She was later allowed to come back to pick up her daughter and left the country within a few days. According to the report, the mother and daughter are currently in Cambodia and awaiting a possible return to India. "Despite not being Indian citizens, we call it home," Alicja Wanatko adds in her letter. "It feels like everything is just destroyed again. I pray to Shiva and Nanda Devi to help us and I have decided to write to you because you are the most powerful person that can help me and my mum come back to India, my home. Please help us and allow to remove us from this blacklist," she added. Her mother also tagged newly-appointed Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet and asked for help. Sir big congratulations on becoming Home Minister. Im writing for your help to remove myself and my minor child who studies in India from blacklist on entering the country. Case is in Mha but officers are not responding to emails. We are praying to God for help. @AmitShah https://t.co/qnad7JqA4V pic.twitter.com/itEDrHgvrm — Marta Kotlarska (@KotlarskaMarta) June 2, 2019 ×

Polish girl writes to PM Modi, foreign minister Jaishankar for her return to India

<p>Engaging with the Twitterverse for the first time, newly appointed External Affairs Minister (EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar paid homage to his predecessor Sushma Swaraj on Saturday.</p>

<p>"My first tweet. Thank you all for the best wishes! Honoured to be given this responsibility. Proud to follow on the footsteps of @SushmaSwaraj ji," Jaishankar`s first tweet read.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My first tweet.<br />
<br />
Thank you all for the best wishes!<br />
Honoured to be given this responsibility.<br />
Proud to follow on the footsteps of <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> ji</p>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1134685620834582529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-20-rajnath-singh-is-defence-minister-amit-shah-home-nirmala-sitharaman-gets-finace-223084">surprise addition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest Union Cabinet</a>, the former Foreign Secretary succeeds Swaraj in helming the Ministry of External Affairs for the next five years under the NDA government.</p>

<p>Swaraj opted out of contesting in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections citing her health. She spearheaded various rescue operations during her term, including those in Libya and Yemen.</p>

<p>The former EAM was much-loved by people for being one of the most approachable ministers, known for hearing out and solving grievances on Twitter.</p>

<p>Jaishankar pledged to follow the precedent set by her, and tweeted, "We at Team @MEAIndia continue to be at your service 24x7. Happy to be leading the effort with my colleague MoS Muraleedharan ji."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We at Team <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a> continue to be at your service 24x7<br />
<br />
Happy to be leading the effort with my colleague MoS Muraleedharan ji <a href="https://twitter.com/VMBJP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VMBJP</a></p>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1134687081245171713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The EAM went on to express his gratitude for the wishes extended by his counterparts from Australia, France and Indonesia, who tweeted their greetings for the former top diplomat.</p>

<p>Both Jaishankar and the new Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, assumed office on May 31, following the official announcement regarding portfolio allocations.</p>

<p>"Back at South Block, in a new role! The new External Affairs Minister of India @DrSJaishankar assumes office," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted on Friday.</p>

<p>A former career diplomat, the 1977-batch IFS officer and Padma Shri awardee served as the Foreign Secretary for three years - from 2015 until his retirement in 2018 - under Modi's previous term as Prime Minister.</p>

<p>He had earlier served as India's Ambassador to China and then to the US. The incumbent EAM has previously been India`s Ambassador to the Czech Republic and High Commissioner to Singapore as well.</p>

<p>He was also the First Secretary and Political Advisor to the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>It is believed that Modi first met Jaishankar when he travelled to China as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2012.</p>

<p>The former diplomat played a critical role in handling tough negotiations with Beijing, following the incursion in Doklam and Ladakh`s Depsang.</p>

<p>He is also known as the Indian government`s key strategist for China and the US.</p>

<p>In 2008, Jaishankar was a member of the team which negotiated the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal under the UPA government headed by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.&nbsp;</p>


Engaging with the Twitterverse for the first time, newly appointed External Affairs Minister (EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar paid homage to his predecessor Sushma Swaraj on Saturday.

Engaging with the Twitterverse for the first time, newly appointed External Affairs Minister (EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar paid homage to his predecessor Sushma Swaraj on Saturday. "My first tweet. Thank you all for the best wishes! Honoured to be given this responsibility. Proud to follow on the footsteps of @SushmaSwaraj ji," Jaishankar`s first tweet read. My first tweet. Thank you all for the best wishes! Honoured to be given this responsibility. Proud to follow on the footsteps of @SushmaSwaraj ji — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 1, 2019 × A surprise addition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest Union Cabinet, the former Foreign Secretary succeeds Swaraj in helming the Ministry of External Affairs for the next five years under the NDA government. Swaraj opted out of contesting in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections citing her health. She spearheaded various rescue operations during her term, including those in Libya and Yemen. The former EAM was much-loved by people for being one of the most approachable ministers, known for hearing out and solving grievances on Twitter. Jaishankar pledged to follow the precedent set by her, and tweeted, "We at Team @MEAIndia continue to be at your service 24x7. Happy to be leading the effort with my colleague MoS Muraleedharan ji." We at Team @MEAIndia continue to be at your service 24x7 Happy to be leading the effort with my colleague MoS Muraleedharan ji @VMBJP — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 1, 2019 × The EAM went on to express his gratitude for the wishes extended by his counterparts from Australia, France and Indonesia, who tweeted their greetings for the former top diplomat. Both Jaishankar and the new Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, assumed office on May 31, following the official announcement regarding portfolio allocations. "Back at South Block, in a new role! The new External Affairs Minister of India @DrSJaishankar assumes office," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted on Friday. A former career diplomat, the 1977-batch IFS officer and Padma Shri awardee served as the Foreign Secretary for three years - from 2015 until his retirement in 2018 - under Modi's previous term as Prime Minister. He had earlier served as India's Ambassador to China and then to the US. The incumbent EAM has previously been India`s Ambassador to the Czech Republic and High Commissioner to Singapore as well. He was also the First Secretary and Political Advisor to the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka. It is believed that Modi first met Jaishankar when he travelled to China as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2012. The former diplomat played a critical role in handling tough negotiations with Beijing, following the incursion in Doklam and Ladakh`s Depsang. He is also known as the Indian government`s key strategist for China and the US. In 2008, Jaishankar was a member of the team which negotiated the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal under the UPA government headed by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Proud to follow in Sushma Swaraj's footsteps, says new External Affairs Minister Jaishankar

Here's look at new cabinet entrants in PM Narendra Modi's Council of Ministers. Watch this video to know more.

Here's look at new cabinet entrants in PM Narendra Modi's Council of Ministers

arendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of India for the second successive time on Tuesday in a grand ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was joined by 24 cabinet-ranked ministers, 24 Ministers of State and another nine Ministers of State (Independent Charge). Watch this video to k now more.

PM Modi, 57 ministers take oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan

BJP president Amit Shah took oath at the much awaited swearing-in ceremony as a minster in Modi government's cabinet on Thursday. Watch this video to know more.

BJP chief Amit Shah joins Modi's cabinet 2.0

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