Goodbye Sushma Swaraj: PM Modi, Amit Shah, Advani attend funeral

India grieves the demise of senior BJP leader and former Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, who died of a cardiac arrest at New Delhi's AIIMS hospital on Tuesday. The 67-year-old was one of the most prominent faces of the BJP who immensely contributed to the party's growth and never shied away from accepting challenges.

An amiable leader, an able administrator and a splendid orator -- Sushma Swaraj -- had not been keeping well lately. Swaraj will always be remembered for her legacy as an easily-accessible foreign minister. She has helped numerous Indians in trouble who reached out to her in the last five years on Twitter.

Barely hours before the nine-time parliamentarian passed away, she had thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Centre's move to split Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. Swaraj said she had been "waiting to see this day in her lifetime".

Political leaders across party lines expressed shock and grief at her untimely death.

Leaders across party lines are now laying wreaths to bid a final goodbye to BJP veteran Sushma Swaraj.

Senior advocate Harish Salve said, "For me, Sushma Swaraj ji was an elder sister. I was simply stunned y'day on hearing about her demise. At 8:45 pm I had a talk with her. She said 'you have to come and take your fees of Re 1 for Jadhav case'. Just 10 minutes post that, she had cardiac arrest."

BJP president Amit Shah and party working president JP Nadda pay tribute to Sushma Swaraj.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat was extremely sad over the sudden demise of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. "It's a huge loss for the nation. I pay tributes. We have declared state mourning today," the CM said.

Sun Weidong, Chinese Ambassador to India, said, "Sad to learn about the passing away of Sushma Swaraj, former Minister of External Affairs of India. Appreciate her contributions to China-India relations. Express my deep condolences to her family."

Sushma Swaraj's mortal remains is being taken to the BJP headquarter in the national capital. She will then be cremated at Lodhi crematorium.

Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, members of Rajya Sabha pay tribute to former EAM Sushma Swaraj. Naidu said, "In her untimely demise, the nation has lost an able administrator, an effective parliamentarian and a true voice of people."

Satya Pal Malik, J&K Governor said, "Express grief over the sudden demise of former Union Minister and veteran political leader Sushma Swaraj. It's difficult to fill the space left by her. I pray for peace to departed soul and strength to the bereaved family in their hour of grief."

The Haryana government declared that the state will observe two-day mourning in honour of senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj.

Ron Malka, Israeli Ambassador to India, paid homage to senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. He said, "I convey my condolences on behalf of people and the state of Israel. It is a great loss. She was a great friend of Israel. She played a big role in the remarkable progress in Israel-India relationship."

Union Home Minister and BJP President Amit Shah pays tribute to senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi pays last respects to former External Affairs Minister and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj.

On Sushma Swaraj's death, Nikolay R Kudashev, Russian Ambassador to India, said, "With a feeling of deep sorrow, we came to know about premature passing away of Sushma Swaraj. Please accept my deepest condolences on this irreparable loss of your predecessor, India's outstanding politician and diplomat."

Kudashev also stated, "She was known in Russia as steadfast defender and promoter of India's international interests and its global power reputation. She was a sincere friend of Russia, contributing to strengthening our privileged strategic partnership. She'll always dwell in our hearts. May her soul rest in peace."

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid her last respects to senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj.

BJP veteran LK Advani on Wednesday mourned the death of senior party leader Sushma Swaraj. Calling her one of his closest colleagues, Advani recalled that when he was the President of the BJP in the eighties, she was a promising young activist who he had inducted into the team.

"And over the years, she became one of the most popular and prominent leaders of our party -- in fact, a role model for women leaders," Advani said. He said he is deeply distressed at the "untimely demise of one of my closest colleagues, Sushma Swaraj".

After the sudden demise of BJP veteran Sushma Swaraj, the Delhi government declared a two-day mourning in the national capital on Wednesday as a mark of respect.

The former External Affairs Minister passed away on Tuesday at AIIMS, Delhi after suffering a cardiac arrest. She was 67.

Taking to Twitter, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted, "Delhi govt will observe two days state mourning as a mark of respect in the memory of former Chief Minister & senior leader respected Sushma Swaraj ji."

Condoling her death, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that India has lost a great leader. "India has lost a great leader. Sushma ji was a very warm and remarkable person. May her soul rest in peace," tweeted Kejriwal.

Fiery, feisty and indefatigable, former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who died on Tuesday, was a leader who fit many roles in her long political leader. She might be remembered best for giving an all-new dimension to the role of foreign minister by being proactive in reaching out to Indians in distress in foreign lands. READ FULL STORY HERE

Senior BJP leader LK Advani pays tributes to former EAM Sushma Swaraj at her residence. His daughter Pratibha Advani gets emotional as she meets Sushma Swaraj's daughter Bansuri.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to former External Affairs Minister and BJP veteran leader Sushma Swaraj.