New Delhi: The United States condoled the death of General Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, who passed away in a helicopter crash and said he was a strong proponent of India-US defence ties and helped deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 11 others in that tragic helicopter crash in India today. General Rawat was a valued partner, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said at his daily news conference on Wednesday.
"He was a strong proponent of the US-India defence partnership. He helped to deepen the strategic partnership between our two countries. He was pivotal to that relationship, and that's why our thoughts go out to the general's family, to the families of all those on board this flight, and, of course, to the people of India on the loss that they have suffered today, Price said.
General Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and 11 other people on board an Indian Air Force helicopter died in a crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the Air Force said. The copter carrying General Rawat and his entourage crashed in apparently foggy conditions, killing the 13 people on board, the IAF and other officials said. One person survived the crash and is being treated at a hospital.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby, at a separate news conference, said that on behalf of the entire Department of Defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin extends their deepest condolences to the Rawat family, the Indian military, and the people of India after the tragic death of General Rawat in a helicopter crash.
"He left an indelible mark on the course of the U.S.-India defence partnership and was at the centre of the Indian Armed Forces' transformation into a more jointly integrated warfighting organisation, Kirby said.
Several countries have extended their condolences including Russia, China, and Pakistan.
Chinese ambassador to India Sun Weidong extended "deep condolences on the sad demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and other victims in the helicopter crash".
"My sympathy goes to all the family members of General Bipin Rawat," he said.
British High Commissioner Alex Ellis also condoled Gen Rawat's demise and hailed him as a wise man and brave soldier.
"Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer, and a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident," Ellis tweeted.
Pakistan Army's spokesman in a short statement posted on Twitter said that Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed condolences.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI(M) Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force, also expressed his condolences on the tragic death of Gen Rawat, his spouse, and 11 others.
General Rawat is survived by two daughters.