Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has condoled the passing away of Shri Brajesh Mishra. In his condolence message to Smt. Pushpa Mishra, the Prime Minister described Shri Brajesh Mishra as one of the most able and influential public servants of his generation.

Following is the text of the PM’s message:

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of Shri Brajesh Mishra. Shri Mishra was one of the most able and influential public servants of his generation. He was the first National Security Adviser of the country and brought to the job his breadth of strategic vision, diplomatic finesse and above all, a sense of India’s destiny and place in global affairs. In serving as both National Security Adviser and Principal Secretary to former Prime Minister Shri Vajpayee, Shri Mishra displayed a grasp of administration and public affairs at the highest level that few will ever match. I consulted Shri Mishra on a number of occasions as Prime Minister and found his counsel to be insightful and free from bias. He always thought about what was right for the country. His forceful articulation of India’s interests won him friends and admirers in the strategic community all over the world. He will be remembered for his masterly handling of the aftermath of the nuclear tests in 1998 and for guiding Shri Vajpayee’s peace initiatives in the neighbourhood. In the demise of Shri Mishra, the country has lost a towering pillar of our strategic community and an outstanding diplomat and administrator.

Please accept my deepest condolences. May God give you the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”