NEW DELHI: Expressing grief on the death of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee , United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the relationship between US and India continues to benefit from Vajpayee's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation.

In a statement provided by the US State Department, Pompeo said, "Vajpayee recognised early on that the United States and India, based on their shared democratic values, could develop a partnership that would contribute to the economic prosperity and security of the region and the world. Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee's vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation."

Admiring Vajpayee's advocacy for India's development, Pompeo said, "We know that many Indians will reflect on Prime Minister Vajpayee's many contributions that led to India's rise as a global and economic power. He championed tirelessly for his country's development and demonstrated a devotion to improving the lives of every Indian."

Pompeo further reminisced Vajpayee's speech addressed to the United States Congress in 2000 where Vajpayee famously characterised U.S.-India ties as "a 'natural partnership of shared endeavours".

The US Secretary of State added, "The American people and I stand with the people of India as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee's passing. Today, we hold the people of India in our thoughts and prayers."

The 93-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran breathed his last at 5:05 pm on Thursday at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Vajpayee, who was the country's 10th Prime Minister, will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on Friday afternoon.

He led the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004 and was the first-ever member of the BJP to become India's Prime Minister. The Central and all state governments have declared a seven-day holiday.

(With inputs from agencies)

