Condolences pour in from across the world for CDS Rawat and other killed in crash

As soon as the news of CDS Bipin Rawat's demise got confirmed, tributes started pouring in from all across the world.

The US Embassy extended its deepest condolences to the CDS Bipin Rawat family and the families of those who perished in the crash.

As India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Rawat spearheaded a historic period of transformation in the Indian military, the US mission said in a statement.

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Gen Rawat was a strong friend and partner of the United States, overseeing a major expansion of India's defense cooperation with the US military, it said.

United Nations's chief Antonio Guterres also expressed his "heartfelt condolences" on the loss, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric informed on Wednesday. He also remembered General Rawat's work with the United Nations as Brigade Commander of the North Kivu Brigade of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo (MONUC) in 2008 and 2009.

“Farewell, commander!”, said Nikolay Kudashev, Ambassador of Russia to India while Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said, "Goodbye, friend!” as tributes poured in from envoys, ministers and Army chiefs with whom General Rawat had interacted extensively as India adopted a more outward oriented security posture under his command.

From Pakistan, Chief of the Air Staff, ACM Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Nadeem Raza expressed their condolences over the “loss of precious lives” in the helicopter crash.

Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong said, ''Deep condolences on the sad demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and other victims in the helicopter crash accident. My sympathy goes to all the family members of General Bipin Rawat.''

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Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted, ''Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & loved ones of Gen. Bipin Rawat, chief of defense staff, his wife & 11 others who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash. Taiwan grieves with India at this difficult time.''

Australia’s High Commissioner to India said, ''Our deepest sympathies to the families of CDS General Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat & others on the helicopter.''

British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis said, Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer & a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident.''

In Dhaka, Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was "deeply shocked to learn the sad demise" of General Rawat and his wife at a tragic helicopter crash. "Bangladesh has lost a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of India and the bereaved family," it sad in a tweet.

A chopper with General Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 12 other people on board crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday afternoon. The crash resulted in the deaths of 13 people including General Rawat and his wife. The lone survivor, group captain Varun Singh, is currently under treatment at a military hospital in Wellington, the Indian Air Force said.

His mortal remains will reach Delhi on Thursday. On Friday his last rites will be done at Delhi Cantonment.

(With inputs from agencies)