US-India ties would not have been possible without Manmohan: Biden

King of Bhutan pays last respects

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• King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful paid tributes to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday
• Wangchuck laid a wreath on the mortal remains of Singh during his funeral at Nigambodh Ghat
• A day before, Wangchuck led Bhutan in offering prayers for the leader at a Buddhist monastery in Thimphu
• Separate prayer ceremonies were held for Dr Singh at all 20 Dzongkhags or districts of Bhutan, according to the Bhutan government

Mourning the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, US President Joe Biden has called him “a true statesman” and credited his strategic vision and political courage for the unprecedented level of bilateral cooperation.

“The unprecedented level of cooperation between the United States and India today would not have been possible without the Prime Minister’s strategic vision and political courage,” Biden said in a statement as he and the First Lady, Jill Biden, joined the people of India in grieving the loss of the former prime minister.

“From forging the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement to helping launch the first Quad between Indo-Pacific partners, he charted path-breaking progress that will continue to strengthen our nations — and the world — for generations to come. He was a true statesman. A dedicated public servant. And above all, he was a kind and humble person,” Biden said.

The outgoing US President said he had the chance to meet Prime Minister Singh as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2008 and as Vice President during his Official State Visit to the United States in 2009.

“During this difficult time, we recommit to this vision to which Prime Minister Singh dedicated his life. Jill and I send our deepest condolences to former First Lady Gursharan Kaur, their three children, and all the people of India,” Biden said.

Meanwhile, UN chief Antonio Guterres is saddened by the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who played a “pivotal role” in shaping the nation’s “economic trajectory”.

He expressed his “deep” condolences to Singh’s family, the government, and the people of India.

Flag to fly at half-mast, says Mauritius

Mauritius has announced that its national flag will fly at half-mast at all government offices and institutions till sunset on Saturday as a mark of respect to India’s former prime minister Manmohan Singh.