Late external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. | File image

Key Highlights Swaraj was one of the top-performing ministers in the National Democratic Alliance government's first term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi Her demise comes just 17 days after former Delhi chief minister and senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit passed away on July 20 in Delhi at the age of 82

New Delhi: In a shocking development, former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday, August 6. She was brought to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi following a cardiac arrest. Swaraj died at age 67. She had decided not to contest the 2019 general elections due to health reasons as she was recovering from a kidney transplant that she underwent at AIIMS in April 2016.

Swaraj was admitted to the Emergency ward of AIIMS and was in a very critical condition when she was brought in. Several Union ministers, including Nitin Gadkari, Harsh Vardhan and SS Ahluwalia, rushed to the AIIMS as soon as they got the news.

Barely four hours before her demise, Swaraj congratulated the central government for its historic move of abrogating Article 370. “Narendra Modi ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime,” she said in her tweet.

प्रधान मंत्री जी - आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. @narendramodi ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 6, 2019

Swaraj was one of the top-performing ministers in the National Democratic Alliance government's first term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She was praised a number of times by PM Modi for being an "accessible" and "hands-on" minister of external affairs. Her proactiveness on social media, especially Twitter, made her a household name.

Her demise comes just 17 days after former Delhi chief minister and senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit passed away on July 20 in Delhi at the age of 82. Swaraj was the first woman chief minister of Delhi and preceded the three terms of Dikshit. She was also the only second woman foreign minister of India after former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock and extended condolences. "She will be remembered fondly for everything that she’s done for India," he said in a series of tweets. Full statement here:

A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end. India 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. Sushma ji was a prolific orator and outstanding Parliamentarian. She was admired and revered across party lines. She was uncompromising when it came to matters of ideology and interests of the BJP, whose growth she immensely contributed to. An excellent administrator, Sushma ji set high standards in every Ministry she handled. She played a key role in bettering India’s ties with various nations. As a Minister we also saw her compassionate side, helping fellow Indians who were in distress in any part of the world. I can’t forget the manner in which Sushma ji worked tirelessly as EAM in the last 5 years. Even when her health was not good, she would do everything possible to do justice to her work and remain up to date with matters of her Ministry. The spirit and commitment was unparalleled. Sushma ji’s demise is a personal loss. She will be remembered fondly for everything that she’s done for India. My thoughts are with her family, supporters and admirers in this very unfortunate hour. Om Shanti.

President Ram Nath Kovind also extended his condolences to late Sushma Swaraj's family after the stalwart BJP leader's shocking demise on Tuesday.

Extremely shocked to hear of the passing of Smt Sushma Swaraj. The country has lost a much loved leader who epitomised dignity, courage & integrity in public life. Ever willing to help others, she will always be remembered for her service to the people of India #PresidentKovind — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 6, 2019

Sushma Swaraj passes away : As it happened

12:40 am: Mortal remains of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj have been taken from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences to her Delhi residence, where her body will be kept till 11 am tomorrow. After that, the body will be shifted to the BJP headquarters at 12 noon before being taken to the crematorium at Lodi Road around 3 pm.

Mortal remains of Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj being taken from All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to her Delhi residence, where they will be kept tonight. pic.twitter.com/mtqihzHCqY — ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019

12:35 am: "Saddened, pained and broken on demise of Sushmaji. She was one of the most outstanding politicians in the present era. She distinguished in all positions. She held senior positions with the party, NDA government and while in the opposition. She leaves behind a void which is difficult to fill," former finance minister Arun Jaitley said.

12:30 am: "Shocked beyond words and distressed at the passing away of Smt Sushma Swaraj. An astute parliamentarian, an effective orator and an excellent humane leader, she will forever be remembered and missed. Hers was a story of hard work to heights!

My deepest condolences and prayers," former president Pranab Mukherjee said.

Shocked beyond words & distressed at the passing away of Smt #SushmaSwaraj. An astute parliamentarian, an effective orator & an excellent humane leader, she will forever be remembered and missed. Hers was a story of hard work to heights!

My deepest condolences and prayers. — Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) August 6, 2019

12:20 am: Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad broke down over her demise, as did JP Nadda and Ghulam Nabi Azad.

#WATCH Union Minister RS Prasad tears up while talking about #SushmaSwaraj; says, "when I came back from Parliament today, I saw her tweet(Swaraj tweeted on Article 370 revoked-"I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime"), & then news came that she is no more. I've no words." pic.twitter.com/M9eLmJjg1i — ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019

G N Azad, Congress: We're shocked, we never imagined that she'll leave us so soon. I knew her since 1977 when I was in youth Congress, we knew each other for last 42 years. We never called each other by name, she used to call me 'bhai' & I used to call her 'behen'. #SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/A9Iua6LE6P — ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019

BJP Working President Jagat Prakash Nadda: Sushma Ji is no more with us, it is a sad incident for not only BJP but the whole country. She inspired us, her last tweet tells us how she was involved in serving the nation in an emotional way. pic.twitter.com/n8DdhSHmi1 — ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019



12:05 am: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed grief over her demise and said, "Deeply shocked to learn of the passing away of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Difficult to accept this news. The whole nation grieves, the Foreign Ministry even more so."

11:55 pm: Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed condolences to her family members on behalf of all BJP workers and people from across India. "The demise of Sushma Swaraj ji is a great loss to BJP and Indian politics. I extend my condolences to her family, supporters and well-wishers on behalf of all BJP workers," he said in a series of tweets.

सुषमा स्वराज जी का निधन भाजपा और भारतीय राजनीति के लिए एक अपूरणीय क्षति है।



मैं समस्त भाजपा कार्यकर्ताओं की ओर से उनके परिजनों, समर्थकों व शुभचिंतकों के प्रति अपनी गहरी संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ। ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्मा को चिर शान्ति प्रदान करे।

ॐ शांति शांति शांति — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 6, 2019

सात बार लोक सभा सदस्य और तीन बार विधानसभा सदस्य रहीं सुषमा जी ने दिल्ली की मुख्यमंत्री और केन्द्रीय मंत्रिमंडल में विभिन्न दायित्व निभाये।



लोक सभा में विपक्ष की नेता के रूप में सुषमा स्वराज जी भाजपा की मुखर आवाज बनी। उनके रूप में हमने एक विरले, सरल व सादगीपूर्ण नेता खोया है। — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 6, 2019

पूर्व विदेश मंत्री और भाजपा की वरिष्ठ नेता व संसदीय बोर्ड की सदस्य श्रीमती सुषमा स्वराज जी के आकस्मिक निधन से मन अत्यंत दुखी है।



उन्होंने एक प्रखर वक्ता, एक आदर्श कार्यकर्ता, लोकप्रिय जनप्रतिनिधि व एक कर्मठ मंत्री जैसे विभिन्न रूपों में भारतीय राजनीति में अपनी अमिट छाप छोड़ी है। — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 6, 2019

11:50 pm: Union minister Smriti Irani, Sadananda Gowda and Piyush Goyal, along with senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sachin Pilot and Anand Sharma expressed grief over Sushma Swaraj's demise.

I have an axe to grind with you Didi . You made Bansuri pick a restaurant to take me for a celebratory lunch. You left without fulfilling your promise to the two of us. — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) August 6, 2019

सुषमा जी के निधन के समाचार से अत्यंत दुख पहुंचा है, यह बहुत पीड़ा देने वाला समाचार है। उनका ऐसे चले जाना स्वीकार नही कर पा रहा हूँ।



ईश्वर उन्हें मोक्ष प्रदान करें व उनके परिजनों को यह अपार दुख सहन करने की शक्ति दें। — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) August 6, 2019

Shocked to hear the news of Smt @SushmaSwaraj Ji sudden demise.She was a pillar to @BJP4India One of the great parliamentarians.

Respected,and well liked leader.

Unimaginable to believe she is no more with us. pic.twitter.com/2p2QE4G170 — Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) August 6, 2019

I’m shocked to hear about the demise of Sushma Swaraj Ji, an extraordinary political leader, a gifted orator & an exceptional Parliamentarian, with friendships across party lines.



My condolences to her family in this hour of grief.



May her soul rest in peace.



Om Shanti — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2019

Despite being in a different party, she always had my highest respect. We will all miss her presence. May her soul rest in eternal peace. — Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) August 6, 2019

Deeply saddened by the sudden passing away of Smt #sushmaswaraj. Sushma ji would be remembered for her compassion, her powerful oration and abiding commitment to public service. Our deepest condolences to her family and her sea of admirers. — Anand Sharma (@AnandSharmaINC) August 6, 2019

Deeply saddened by the sudden passing away of Smt #sushmaswaraj. Sushma ji would be remembered for her compassion, her powerful oration and abiding commitment to public service. Our deepest condolences to her family and her sea of admirers. — Anand Sharma (@AnandSharmaINC) August 6, 2019

11:40 pm: Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia, former prime minister HD Devegowda, former Karanataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir expressed condolences.

सुषमा स्वराज जी के निधन की ख़बर बेहद दुखद है. भारतीय राजनीति में उनका योगदान अमर रहेगा.

ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करे. — Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) August 6, 2019

I am deeply saddened by the sad demise of Former Union Minister, ex-CM of Delhi @SushmaSwaraj ji. A loss to our Nation.

May God give her family the courage to bear this pain.#SushmaSwaraj — H D Devegowda (@H_D_Devegowda) August 6, 2019

Deeply shocked to know that former Foreign minister Smt. @SushmaSwaraj is no more.



My condolences to her closed ones & well-wishers. May her soul rest in peace. — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) August 6, 2019

I'm beyond aggrieved at the passing away of Smt. #SushmaSwaraj A veteran politician and a pillar of the BJP, she was loved by everyone. She will be remembered as the most endearing & helpful politicians of recent times. My condolences to her family and friends. A huge loss forpic.twitter.com/JdI0vPxRJP — Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 6, 2019

11:30 pm: Saddened to hear the news of Sushma ji’s passing away. Heartfelt condolences to Shri Swaraj Kaushal and Bansuri," CPIM leader Sitaram Yechury said.

11:25 pm: "Shocked and saddened by this news. I last saw Sushmaji at Prime Minister Modi's swearing-in two months ago. She was a brilliant speaker in Hindi, a genuine "people's person" in government and I was proud of our excellent relationship when I chaired the External Affairs Committee. Om Shanti..." Shashi Tharoor tweeted.

Shocked & saddened by this news. I last saw Sushmaji at @PMOIndia's swearing-in two months ago. She was a brilliant speaker in Hindi, a genuine "people's person" in Government &I was proud of our excellent relationship when I chaired the External Affairs Committee. Om Shanti... https://t.co/1Q2kpUSj3x — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 6, 2019

11:18 pm: "Lost a dear friend just now in Sushma Swaraj. Unbelievable. Truly tragic for the whole nation," Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi said.

11:15 pm: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrives at All India Institute of Medical Sciences where former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj passed away a few minutes ago.

11:10 pm: "We are saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Our condolences to her family and loved ones," the Congress tweeted.