Condolences poured in from across the world over the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the Air Force said, the CDS, his wife Madhulika and 11 other people on board an Indian Air Force helicopter died in a crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.
The US envoy to India in a statement said, “the US Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the Rawat family and the families of those who perished in the tragic helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu. As India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Rawat spearheaded a historic period of transformation in the Indian military. He was a strong friend and partner of the United States, overseeing a major expansion of India’s defense cooperation with the US military.”
Russian envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev said he is grieving with India at this time of crisis. “With deepest regret learnt about the sudden demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat & 11 other officers in the helicopter crash today. India has lost its great patriot and dedicated hero,” Kudashev said in a tweet.
Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’ Farrell paid his tributes, “Our deepest sympathies to the families of CDS General Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat & others on the helicopter.”
British high commissioner Alex W Ellis remebered Rawat as a wise man, a brave soldier and a pioneer. “Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer & a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident,” Ellis tweeted.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff, his wife and 11 Armed Forces personnel in an unfortunate accident at Sulur, Tamil Nadu. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members of the people killed in the accident,” Japanese envoy Satoshi Suzuki said in a tweet.
Former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also extended his condolences. “I was deeply saddened to learn about the deadly helicopter crash that killed India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others in Tamil Nadu. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. May they rest in peace,” Netanyahu said in a tweet.
French envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials in a crash. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the Indian Armed Forces.”
“We will remember CDS Rawat as a great military leader and a supporter of Flag of France-India defence ties,” he said.
German Ambassador to India Walter Lindner said, “What tragic news! Our deepest condolences to General Bipin Rawat’s family and all relatives of those who perished in the tragic helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu.”
In a short statement posted on Twitter, Pakistan Army’s spokesman said that Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed condolences.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI(M) Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force, also expressed his condolences on the tragic death of Gen Rawat, his spouse, and 11 others.
