Atal Bihari Vajpayee rightly commanded great respect around the world: Vladamir Putin

Russian President Vladamir Putin on Friday offered his condolences at the sad demise of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Putin offered his condolences in a message sent to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

"Atal Bihari Vajpayee rightly commanded great respect around the world," said Putin in a statement.

Russian President said that Vajpayee will be remembered as a politician who made a major personal contribution to the friendly relations and privileged strategic partnership between our countries.

Putin also conveyed words of sincere sympathy and support to the family of the deceased, the Government and the people of India.

Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders and inspirational orators, died yesterday at the age of 93. His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital where he was admitted on June 11 with a variety of ailments.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo also condoled the death of Vajpayee and said that he recognised early on that the US-India partnership would contribute to the world's economic prosperity and security and the two democracies continue to benefit from his vision.

"On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Pompeo said in a statement.

He said Indians will reflect on Vajpayee's many contributions that led to India's rise as a global and economic power.