Indian leaders pay tribute to Koirala

Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj Tuesday said that former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President late Sushil Koirala was a man of ‘high thinking and simple living’.

After paying a tribute to late Koirala Swaraj has written in the condolence book, “The sad demise of former PM of Nepal and leader of NC Koirala has deeply saddened the leadership, government and people of India. A dedicated leader he was a man of high thinking and simple living.”

She also has written that Nepal’s crucial political transformation was successfully concluded under his leadership and said that India has lost a true friend.

Swaraj arrived Kathmandu Tuesday afternoon leading a delegation of Indian parliamentarians and political leaders to pay tribute to late Koirala.

The delegation included Indian National Congress leader Anand Sharma, general secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yachury, Presiednt of Janata Dal – United Sharad Yadav, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national defense advisor Ajit Doval, Nepal Desk chief at the Ministry of External Affairs Abhaya Thakur and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Ray.

All leaders paid tribute to late Koirala and have written their remarks in the condolence book.

Likewise, they met Koirala family and expressed condolence. During the meeting they remembered the contribution of Koirala family in the freedom movement of India.

Meanwhile, the delegation met Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at his official residence in Baluwatar.

During the meeting PM Oli praised Indian support during the time of crisis in Nepal.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affiars Minister Kamal Thapa was also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, the delegation also met acting president of NC Ramchandra Paudel where senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, general secretaries Praksh Man Singh and Krishna Prasad Sitaula and leaders Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Mahesh Acharya and Minendra Rijal were present.

Meanwhile, Indian President Pranab Mukharjee, in condolence message, expressed condolences on the death of Koirala and lauded the role of late Koirala during Nepal’s political transition and promulgation of new constitution.

According to Koirala’s aide Prakash Adhikari, Indian ambassador to Nepal Ray, Chinese ambassador Wu Chuntai and chief of other diplomatic missions in Kathmandu paid tribute to late Koirala.

Bhutanese Home Minister Lyonpo Dawa Gyaltshen and Nationalist Congress Party of India’s general secretary D. P. Tripathi are scheduled to arrive Kathmandu to pay tribute to him.