Current affairs

RIP Bipin Rawat: Defence leaders from the US and Pakistan pay tribute to India's top general!

By alagu, 09 December, 2021
Bipin Rawat, Chopper Crash, Nilgiris, Tamilnadu

Tributes have been pouring in from around the world for India's top military general Bipin Rawat as the major countries share India's pain of losing its first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). General Bipin Rawat was killed in a military chopper crash on Wednesday in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district. His wife and top officials who were on board have also died and the Indian government has on Thursday announced that the last rites of Bipin Rawat will be held with full state honours. 

Several national leaders including the President, the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, and Chief Ministers had paid their tribute to the deceased general and condolences have been coming from beyond the borders including from the neighbouring military adversary. Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu have paid their tributes to Bipin Rawat. In an official statement, Inter-Services Public Relations of Pakistan Armed Forces said that Pakistan's Defence leaders had expressed their condolences on the tragic death of CDS General Bipin Rawat. 

It must be noted that General Rawat and General Bajwa had served together in a UN peacekeeping mission in Congo in 2008. Apart from Pakistan, the US, Russia, Nepal, Singapore, and Japan had paid their tribute to Rawat. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has said, "Our deepest condolences to the Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat's family & the families of the other victims of the crash. Rawat left an indelible mark on the course of the U.S.-India defense partnership." 

In his tribute note, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said, "We're deeply saddened by the loss of CDS Gen Bipin Rawat & others who died in the crash. He made a lasting impact on the Indian military & reinforced our strong military-to-military relationship b/w US & India." Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said, "Our deepest condolences to the Rawat family, the Indian military, and the people of India after the tragic death of Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash... and the families of the other victims of the crash."

US Embassy in India has commended Rawat's leadership and contribution. The diplomatic mission said, "As India's first Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Rawat spearheaded a historic period of transformation in the Indian military. He was a strong friend and partner of the U.S., overseeing a major expansion of India's defence cooperation with the U.S. military. His legacy will continue on." Japanese Ambassador to India Satoshi Suzuki said, "Deepest condolences to the bereaved family members of the people killed in the accident." 

Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev said, "Russia has lost a very close friend who played a big role in the promotion of our bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership. Grieving together with India. Goodbye, friend! Farewell, commander." Singapore High Commission has noted, "His vision, candour, and warmth will be missed."

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said, "I would like to extend condolences on behalf of Israel's defence establishment and to express my personal grief to the people of India and to the Indian defence establishment on the loss of Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, his wife, and others who perished in the tragic accident." In his statement, Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said, "Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials in a helicopter crash. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & the Indian Armed Forces." 

 

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