Condoling
the death of former President Pranab Mukherjee, Democratic presidential candidate
Joe Biden has said that Mukherjee deeply believed in the importance of India and the US
tackling global issues together.

Several prominent US leaders and organisations also expressed their condolences, saying that the former president will be remembered as one of the country’s
most distinguished statesmen and scholars.

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“President Shri Pranab
Mukherjee was a devout public servant who believed deeply in the importance of
our two nations tackling global challenges together. Jill and I are saddened to
hear of his passing – our prayers go out to his loved ones and the Indian
people,” PTI quoted Joe Biden as saying on Monday.

Biden had a
strong friendship with Mukherjee, developed over time as a member of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee and as the vice president of the United States.

Deputy Secretary
of State Stephen Biegun said that one of Mukherjee’s many lasting legacies will
be a strong US-India partnership.

“He’ll go
down in history among India’s most distinguished statesmen and scholars, and
his many visits to Washington, everything he did for the relationship, played
an instrumental role in expanding this US-India relationship, both in defence
and external affairs when he was the minister,” Biegun said while addressing
the virtual India US Leadership Summit organised by the US India Strategic and
Partnership Forum (USISPF) on Monday.

“Our
thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,” the USISPF said.

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The South
and Central Asia Bureau of the State Department took to Twitter to condole
Mukherjee’s death, saying, “We stand with the people of India as they grieve
the loss of a great leader who will be forever remembered in the annals of
Indian history.”

The US
India Business Council said India lost an incredible statesman, adding he was a
long-time supporter of US-India ties.

The New
York Times labelled the former president as an “Indispensable Man of Indian
Politics”.

George
Abraham, the vice chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, USA, also condoled Mukherjee’s
passing.

“He was a
quintessential congressman, formidable leader and a great parliamentarian,” he
said in a statement.

“NRIs
across the globe will fondly remember his contribution to the country in
various capacities as a political leader, minister of important portfolios,
sharp troubleshooter and a statesman with an independent mindset who adorned
the office of the presidency. We also pay tribute to the pivotal role he has
played in passing the Indo-US civil nuclear treaty despite the coalition
partners’ threats.”

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The North
American Telegu Society said that the former president leaves behind a legacy that
will inspire generations to come.

“He
championed issues that lie at the heart of India’s social, economic and
developmental challenges — literacy, healthcare, food security, energy
security, rural and urban planning, economic empowerment, governance and
administrative reforms, and national and regional security.”

Mukherjee, who served as the 13th president of India from 2012 to 2017, died on Monday, following a 21-day battle with multiple ailments. He is survived by two sons and a daughter.