'You can change friends but not neighbours' - Vajpayee said once.
"You can change friends but not neighbours," Atal Bihari Vajpayee famously said this 15 years ago, and the goodwill he enjoyed among neighbouring countries was today visible when all SAARC nations including Pakistan were represented at his funeral.
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, Pakistan's Minister of Law Ali Zafar, Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali and Acting Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Lakshman Kiriella, were among the foreign dignitaries who attended Vajpayee's funeral here.
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai also paid homage to Vajpayee before his mortal remains were consigned to flames at Smriti Sthal at central Delhi. Diplomats from a number of other countries also attended the funeral of the region's much-loved leader.
Vajpayee's foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya lit the pyre as cries of "Atal Bihari Amar Rahe" reverberated.
Condolences for Vajpayee poured in from all corners of the world after the news of his demise broke last evening.
Pakistan's prime minister-elect Imran Khan expressed condolences over Vajpayee's demise, saying his efforts for India-Pakistan peace will always be remembered.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed "deep shock" at Vajpayee's demise and said he was "our great friend and highly respected" in her country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth condoled Vajpayee's demise.
SAARC Secretary General Amjad Hussain B Sial condoled Vajpayee's passing away, saying he will be remembered for his historic initiatives in promoting peace and harmony in the region.
In a statement, the French government also condoled Vajpayee's demise.
The flags of the US, UK and Belgium flew at half mast at their Embassies here as a mark of respect to Vajpayee.
(With PTI inputs)
1. Bhutan pays homage to Vajpayee
)
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck pays tribute at the funeral of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi on August 17, 2018. (Photo: AFP)
2. Afganistan pays tribute to former India PM
)
Hamid Karzai, the former Afghan president, stands over the casket at the funeral of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi on August 17, 2018. (Photo: AFP)
3. Pakistan ministers in Delhi pay homage to Vajpayee, say 'we are here to share your grief'
)
In a friendly gesture by Pakistan, a delegation from the neighbouring country arrived in India on Friday to pay last respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Pakistan Law Minister Ali Zafar said the officials are here to share the grief and pay their condolences at the funeral ceremony in Smriti Sthal in Delhi.
"We are here to share your grief and pay our condolences on the behalf of people of Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan," Zafar in Delhi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. (Photo: ANI)
4. When neighbours came together!
)
From left: King of Bhutan, former President of Afghanistan and Ministers from Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka came to Delhi to pay tributes to former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (Photo: Twitter/@MEAIndia)
5. Sri Lanka pay last respects to Atal Bihari Vajpayee
)
Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella pay last respects to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Smriti Sthal, New Delhi on August 17, 2018. (Photo: ANI)
