It is with great sorrow that I convey to Your Majesty, from the Government and people of India, heartfelt condolences on the painful tragedy that has befallen the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Nepal. May Lord Pashupathinath give you the courage and strength to bear this enormous personal loss and national grief. As you assume the leadership of the Kingdom of Nepal in these sad circumstances, I would like to express the solidarity of India, as a close friend of Nepal, in your effort to put behind you this national tragedy and to lead the people of Nepal in their continuing endeavours for stable socio-economic development. My government looks forward to working with Your Majesty’s government to further strengthen and intensify mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries. Please accept, Your Majesty, the assurances of my highest consideration.

It is with immense anguish that I convey to your Excellency, on behalf of the Government and people of India, our most sincere condolences on the tragic demise of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, His Majesty King Dependra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and other members of the Royal Family. Our heartfelt prayers are with the departed souls.

His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was held in the highest regard and will be remembered by future generations for his impressive contributions to the progress and socio-economic development of Nepal. I remember warmly my interaction with him in January 1999 when he visited India as a Guest of Honour at our Republic Day celebrations. We in India particularly recall his invaluable role in strengthening the close ties of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries.

We would like you to know that in this hour of national sorrow, India and its people are with the Kingdom of Nepal and its citizens. We are confident that the innate courage and resilience of the Nepalese people will enable them to bear this great loss and to continue their journey on the path towards peaceful progress and development. We will continue to extend our fullest support and cooperation in this process. Please accept, Excellency, assurances of my highest consideration.

A. B. Vajpayee
Prime Minister of India