US, Russia, Japan mourn Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise

The United States, Russia and Japan on Friday condoled the death of former Prime Minister and BJP veteran Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Bharat Ratna Awardee, one of the tallest leaders of India, who held a tenuous coalition with his classy oratatory, died on Thursday at the age of 93.

The US grieves with India on the loss of the former prime minister, the American Embassy said in a statement.

LIVE: Vajpayee's last rites to be held at Smriti Sthal today

"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'," it said.

Condolence message by the U.S. Secretary of State on the demise of former Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee https://t.co/5PeJBAxeEf (from @StateDept)@MEAIndia @NavtejSarna @SushmaSwaraj @IndianDiplomacy

— India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) August 16, 2018

"On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," said Mike Pompeo, the United States Secretary of in a statement on Thursday.

He further said that Vajpayee was behind India’s rise as a global and economic power.

"We mourn the death of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a great statesman," Russian Ambassador to India, Nikolay Kudashev said.

"His devoted service to the nation can hardly be overestimated. Mr Vajpayee enjoyed due respect in India and globally. 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.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing away of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Japan’s envot to India Kenji Hiramatsu said.