The Hindu : National : Manmohan signs condolence book at U.S. Embassy

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Wednesday, Jun 09, 2004

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Manmohan signs condolence book at U.S. Embassy

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI, JUNE 8. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today visited the U.S. Embassy to sign the condolence book in honour of the former American President, Ronald Reagan, who passed away on Saturday.

Dr. Singh is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the embassy, according to South Block sources. The visit also signalled that India wanted the best possible relations with the United States, the sources said, adding that it should set at rest "all speculation" in the media about the current status of bilateral relations.

The then U.S. President, George H. Bush, had visited the Indian Embassy in Washington after the assassination of the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. It had been a Republican President who had made the gesture, which has now been reciprocated by the Indian Prime Minister.

In the condolence book, Dr. Singh wrote: "With the passing away of President Reagan, the world has lost a statesman of global renown, who left an indelible mark on history. We salute the memory of a friend of India, who did much to strengthen the bonds which tie together the two largest democracies." According to the sources, Dr. Singh had found time to visit the U.S. Embassy on a day crowded with parliamentary commitments.

The External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, also visited the U.S. Embassy to sign the condolence book. Mr. Singh who will represent India at the State funeral for Mr. Reagan on June 11, wrote, "India has lost a great friend, the United States of America a great leader, and the world a great statesman. My condolences to the family and the people of America."

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