India expresses shock over demise of Ambassador Holbrooke

New Delhi, Dec.14 (ANI): India has expressed deep shock at the news of the untimely demise of Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, the Obama administration's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan since 2009, and offered condolences to the members of his family and friends.

"The news of the untimely demise of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke has come as a great shock. An accomplished diplomat, he served his country and the cause of international peace and security, with distinction and exceptional insight, in his long and eventful career," said a Ministry of External Affairs release.

"He leaves behind a number of friends and admirers in India and indeed the world over. Our heartfelt condolences to members of his family and friends!" the release adds.

Earlier today, United States Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, paid tribute to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, whom he described as a consummate diplomat and a close friend, who dedicated his almost fifty years of public service to bringing peace to the world.

Ambassador Roemer remembered Ambassador Holbrooke as a tireless worker with boundless energy and dedication to bring peace, stability, and prosperity to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Ambassador Roemer said: "Richard was relentless in pursuing peace for the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, creative in finding solutions to insurmountable problems, and magnetic in bringing disparate people together to find common ground. The United States has lost one of its great diplomats. The region has lost one of its great champions for peace. And the world has lost a great man."

Ambassador Roemer offered his condolences on behalf of the Embassy community to Ambassador Holbrooke's wife, Kati, his family, and his many friends around the world. (ANI)