Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and BJP veteran LK Advani during the cremation of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with full state honour, at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi. (Image: PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and BJP veteran LK Advani during the cremation of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with full state honour, at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi. (Image: PTI)
China on Friday paid homage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, describing him as an outstanding politician who made path-breaking contributions to the development of bilateral relations.
“Vajpayee is an outstanding politician in India and has made path-breaking contributions to the development of Sino-Indian relations,”the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The Chinese side expressed deep condolences over his death to the Indian government and people and to the relatives of Vajpayee, the ministry said in the statement to PTI.
Premier Li Keqiang has sent a condolence message, the ministry said.
Vajpayee visited China in 2003 during which the two countries set up the Special Representative mechanism to resolve the boundary dispute.
Family members and relatives of Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his cremation with full state honour. (Image: PTI)
Amid sultry weather conditions, thousands of people walked along the over seven kilometre route with some showering petals at the carriage. Heavy security was deployed along the route of the procession.
During the procession, people chanted slogans like "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" as Vajpayee's cortege made its way from the BJP headquarters to the cremation ground.
In a shorttelevised address, President Ram Nath Kovind has paid tribute to Vajpayee.
A sea of supporters attended the funeral procession of Atal Bihari Vajpayee as his mortal remains were taken for cremation to Smriti Sthal. (Image: PTI)
Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been cremated at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, Vijay Ghat.
The former prime minister is being accorded a 21-gun salute.
Vajpayee’s daughter Namita Bhattacharya, is leading the last rites of the former prime minister.
The last rites are nowbeing conducted according to Hindu customs.
The national flag of India, which was draped around the formal prime minister’s remains has been folded and handed over to Vajpayee’s granddaughter.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has paid his last respects.
LK Advani has paid his last respects to Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
