Published 11:09 IST, September 27th 2019

PM Modi condoles demise of Ex-French President Jacques Chirac

PM Narendra Modi expressed condolences on the death of former French president Jacques Chirac. He regarded him as a true global statesman and a friend of India

India News
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed condolences on the death of former French president Jacques Chirac. He regarded Jacques Chirac as a true global statesman and a friend of India, adding that India mourns the loss of the former French President. PM Modi added that the former French President played a decisive role in establishing and building the India-France Strategic Partnership.

Jacques Chirac supported India after it conducted nuclear tests in 1998. It was after Jacques Chirac's first visit to India in 1998, when the strategic relationship between India and France started. He again visited the country as president in 2006.

READ | Jacques Chirac the former French President dies at the age of 86

Condolences from world leaders

Former President of France Jacques Chirac, who served as the head of state from 1995-2007, passed away at the age of 86 on September 26. French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed grief over the demise of the former President. Addressing the nation from the Elysee Palace, Macron said that France has lost a leader who was able to represent the nation in its diversity and complexity.

"We French have lost a statesman whom we loved as much as he loved us. Whether we share, or not, his ideas or what he fought for, we all recognise ourselves in this man who resembled us, and brought us together," Macron said.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson took to Twitter and condoled demise of the former French President, saying that Jacques Chirac was a formidable political leader who shaped the destiny of his nation. He added that his loss will be felt throughout France, across generations.

READ | PM Modi pays tribute to Dr Homi Bhabha, thanks France for memorial