Manmohan Singh condoles death of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has condoled the passing away of the former Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon.

In a letter to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Singh said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Mr. Ariel Sharon.

“During his long career in public service, Mr. Sharon made extremely important contributions to the State of Israel. As Prime Minister, he took bold steps for peace in the region. We in India recall that he was the first-ever Prime Minister of Israel to visit India in September 2003. His lasting contribution to the promotion of our bilateral ties will be long remembered,” he said

“In this hour of bereavement, please accept our heartfelt condolences and sympathies,” he added

Sharon died at the age of 85 on Saturday near Tel Aviv after eight years in a coma after suffering a massive stroke. He will be buried on Monday on his farm in southern Israel.