By IANS,
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed shock and sadness at the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and other passengers who died in a plane crash in Russia Saturday.
In a condolence letter to his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, the prime minister said Poland has lost an outstanding statesman and that it was a special loss for India.
“I have received with great shock and sadness the news about the death of President Lech Kaczynski, in a plane crash. In President Kaczynski’s death, Poland has lost an outstanding statesman. 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,” Singh said.
“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,” the prime minister said.
Polish President Lech Kaczynski was killed Saturday with his wife Maria and 130 others, including almost all his aides, when their aircraft crashed in foggy weather while landing in the western Russian city.