Former Indian foreign minister and senior leader of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) Sushma Swaraj passed away at the age of 67 on Tuesday night after suffering a heart attack.
She had been admitted to a hospital after suffering a heart attack and was said to be in a critical condition before the news of her death surfaced in the India media.
Her family members and BJP leaders Dr Harshvardhan and Nitin Gadkari had been present at the hospital at the time of her death.
Sushma was India’s Minister for External Affairs during the last government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and chose to sit out of the government this year on account of her health.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed her demise “a personal loss”. “She will be remembered fondly for everything that she’s done for India. My thoughts are with her family, supporters and admirers in this very unfortunate hour. Om Shanti,” he said.
Indian National Congress also tweeted a message of condolence. “We are saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Our condolences to her family and loved ones,” the tweet stated.