Sushma Swaraj passes away: MEA mourns her demise, says 'she left a lasting legacy in Indian Diplomacy'

Sushma Swaraj passed away on August 6, after suffering from cardiac arrest at New Delhi AIIMS hospital. She was taken to AIIMS at quarter to nine in a critical condition on Tuesday evening. Mourning her sudden demise, the ministry of external affairs said that she has put a lasting legacy in the core of Indian diplomacy. Her compassionate and amiable personality enjoys respect in and outside the ministry. 

Current external affairs minister S Jaishankar said that it was difficult for him to accept that her predecessor was no more. He added that the whole nation is in grief, but the Foreign Ministry, where Sushma Swaraj served for five years in the first Prime Minister Narendra Modi government is mourning more. He expressed his shock on her sudden demine. 

The former external affairs minister breathed her last on a day she had waited for a lifetime. She has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi in her last tweet for integration of Kashmir and said that this is the day she waited for. Expressing his grief after her demise, PM Narendra Modi said that it is 'an end of a glorious chapter in politics'. He added that she was 'excellent administrator', and 'set high standards in every Ministry she handled'. Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his sadness over the demise. "I am deeply saddened by the sudden demise of former External Affairs Minister and senior BJP leader and Member of Parliamentary Board Mrs. Sushma Swaraj. She has left an indelible mark in Indian politics in various forms such as an excellent speaker, an ideal party worker, popular public representative and a working minister," he said. 

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An affable leader, Sushma Swaraj was the most approachable and the one who had dedicated her life to public service. She was not only known in the international platform for her magnificent work and oratory but also honoured in the country for standing with all those who needed her. In her party, the BJP, Swaraj was known as a guiding force, and in her political career she is recalled for her political punches. Across party lines, she is honoured not only for being an able administrator, fiery speaker, but also one who respects her opponents. 

READ: Sushma Swaraj passes away: Syed Akbaruddin pays tribute, shares her memorable moments at the UN. Watch here