Ex-Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj passes away

Former Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has passed away at the age of 67 after suffering a heart attack.

Swaraj was taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi on Tuesday evening, reports India Today.

The senior BJP leader, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2016, had opted out of contesting in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections citing ill health.

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2019

The Congress condoled her death and tweeted: "We are saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Our condolences to her family and loved ones."

She was a favourite on Twitter during her term in office responding to calls and messages of distress from Indians all over the world.