His Majesty The King led the government and the Indian Ambassador in offering prayers and a thousand butter lamps for His Excellency Pranab Mukherjee at the Simtokha Dzong yesterday. The former President of India passed away on August 31.

His Excellency was well loved across party lines in India as President, during his tenure from 2012 to 2017. In his long career in the government of India, he also served as Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of Defence. 

The former President made several visits to Bhutan, as Foreign Minister as well as President. Throughout his career, His Excellency remained a steadfast friend of Bhutan. The people of Bhutan mourn his passing and condole His Excellency’s family, and the people of India.