Headlines
Hamid Ansari leads Indian delegation to Saudi king's funeral
Vice President Hamid Ansari
Saturday left for Saudi Arabia at the head of an Indian government
delegation to attend the funeral of king Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
who died early Friday.
The government has declared a day's mourning Saturday and flags are being flown at half-mast.
An official told IANS from the vice-president's residence that he left around 12.30 p.m.
An
official statement said that "the government and people of India have
received with deep sadness and shock" the news of king Abdullah bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud death from complications from pneumonia early Friday.
"India
has maintained close and friendly relations with Saudi Arabia under the
leadership of King Abdullah. These bonds have been especially
strengthened by the presence of the large expatriate Indian community
which has found a home in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the statement
added.
Ansari has been a former Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia (1995-1999).
President
Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have sent messages of
condolence to new King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
"In his
passing away, Saudi Arabia had lost a beloved leader, India a close
friend and the world an elder statesman," a statement from Rashtrapati
Bhavan said.
"King Abdullah had genuine warmth and affection for
India and our people. He was personally committed to improving bilateral
ties with India," it added.
Modi described the late Saudi king
as a guiding force, and said: "In King Abdullah, we have lost an
important voice, who left a lasting impact on his country. I condole his
demise.
"Our thoughts are with the people of Saudi Arabia, who
have lost a guiding force in King Abdullah, during this hour of grief. A
few days ago I spoke to (then) Crown Prince Salman and enquired about
King Abdullah's health. News of King Abdullah's passing away is
saddening," he added.
India's energy security depends a lot on Saudi Arabia which accounts for 20 percent of the country's oil imports.