Former Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj passes away at 67, after cardiac arrest

Stalwart of Indian politics, senior BJP leader and former Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away a while ago at AIIMS on Tuesday evening. The BJP (Bhartiya Janta Party) veteran, who suffered a major heart attack, died at the age of 67. Her last Twitter post was about thanking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the government’s move on Kashmir stating that she was waiting for this day in her life.

Swaraj, who was one for the most prominent BJP woman face, did not contest the recently held Lok Sabha elections in which the party won with a massive majority. Last November, she had announced she would not contest the general elections.

Swaraj was perhaps the most 'millennial' minister the Indian government has ever had. From being tagged the 'supermom' of India by Washington Post to becoming one of the most-followed politicians on Twitter, the late external affairs minister had truly struck a chord with young and old alike with her round-the-clock social media presence, eagerness to help, and ready wit on social media.

Earlier today, Sushma Swaraj had in a tweet congratulated the Prime Minister for a move to revoke Article 370. "Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime," she said.

Meanwhile, after the news of India’s former External Affairs Minister, twitter handle was flooded with the condolences from the national and international leadership. Moreover, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi also rushed to AIIMS hospital along with Home Minister Amit Shah.

Prime Minister also took it to Twitter to express grief on the demise of Sushma Swaraj. He wrote “A glorious chapter in Indian politics come to an end. Indian grieves the demise of a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and bettering lives of the poor. Sushma Swaraj ji was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration for crores of people.”

Along with that, senior Congress leader and Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh also tweeted, "Shocked to learn of the sudden demise of @SushmaSwaraj ji. I Will always remember her as a dynamic and sensitive leader with the ability to empathise with the common people. Will miss her. May your soul rest in peace."