Manmohan Singh condoles death of Polish president

Prime minister Manmohan Singh today said the death of Polish president Lech Kaczynski, who was killed in a plane crash in Russia, was a "special loss" for India.
   
In a condolence letter to his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, Singh said Poland has lost an outstanding statesman.
   
"I have received with great shock and sadness the news about the death of president Lech Kaczynski, in a plane crash today. In president Kaczynski's death, Poland has lost an outstanding statesman," Singh said in the letter.
   
Singh said: "it is a special loss to India as president Kaczynski was personally committed to strengthening bilateral ties between our two countries. India mourns with you at this tragic hour".
   
"On behalf of the government and the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to your excellency and to the friendly people of Poland at this most unfortunate and grievous loss," he added.
   
The Polish president, his wife and top political and military officials died when a Soviet-era Tu-154 plane carrying them crashed in Russia killing all 96 on board.