Condolence messages poured in from countries across the globe expressing grief over the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Thursday with most nations highlighting the role played by the “ statesman’’ in boosting bilateral ties.

“The United States grieves with India on the loss of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.  He will be remembered for his immense contribution in bolstering US-India relations.  During his tenure, Prime Minister Vajpayee advocated for a robust partnership with the United States, referring to us as `natural allies’, “according to a statement from the US Embassy in New Delhi.

The upswing in India-Japan relations was only possible by the initiatives started by Prime Minister Vajpayee, a message from Japanese Ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu stated. “The demise of such a great leader is a great loss not only to India but also to Japan and other part of Asia as well as the entire international community,” he said.

Vajpayee’s love for poetry and inclination towards intellectual pursuits was appreciated by the Ambassador of Russia to India Nikolay Kudashev in his message. “We knew him also as a poet, a man of knowledge and a true friend of our country, where he is well-known as one of the architects of our long-lasting and time-tested privileged strategic partnership,” Kudashev said expressing grief over the death of a `great statesman’.

UK High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith said that Vajpayee would be remembered as one of India’s greatest leaders. “Shri Vajpayee was much respected in the UK as a statesman par excellence,” Asquith said in his message.

Neighbouring countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Maldives also expressed their grief over the demise of the former PM.

“Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was our great friend and was highly respected in Bangladesh. As a token of recognition for his invaluable contribution to our Liberation War in 1971, Bangladesh Government conferred on him the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour. Today is certainly a day of great sadness for all of us in Bangladesh,” said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a message to Narendra Modi.

Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, in his message of condolence to PM Modi said that the late Vajpayee was a visionary statesman with impeccable integrity and dedication, who will be remembered for his sagacity and exemplary selfless service to the people of India.”In the demise of former Prime Minister Vajpayee, India and the world has lost a towering political figure and Nepal a true friend and well-wisher,” Oli said.

Ambassador of Afghanistan Shaida Abdali said that it was the entire South Asia and not just India that had lost a towering personality and great statesman. ”Atal Behari Vajpayee has left us with the highest standards of leadership. As we mourn this huge loss with the people of India, I extend our deepest condolences to his family & the entire Indian nation,” Abdali said.

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