Putin expressed condolences to India's leadership over the death of the country's former prime minister

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed condolences to the leadership of India over the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The corresponding telegram was published on the Kremlin website.

The telegram was sent to Indian President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Please accept deep condolences <...>. Manmohan Singh was an outstanding statesman. <...> He also made a great personal contribution to strengthening friendly relations between our countries, bringing them to the level of a particularly privileged strategic partnership," the message reads.

The head of state noted that Singh also did a lot for India's economic development and promotion of its interests on the world stage.

"Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the deceased, as well as to all the people of India," Vladimir Putin added.

Manmohan Singh passed away in his 93rd year of life in New Delhi on December 26. Modi expressed his condolences and said all of India mourns the loss of one of its most prominent leaders.

Singh served as India's prime minister from 2004 to 2014. He was India's first Sikh prime minister and also the first prime minister to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term.