A senior US official said General Bipin Rawat, India's first Chief of Defence Staff who died in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu, was a strong proponent of India-US defence relations and helped deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
General Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 11 other people on board an Indian Air Force helicopter died in a crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the Air Force said.
The copter carrying General Rawat and his entourage crashed in apparently foggy conditions, killing 13 people on board, the IAF and other officials said. One person has survived the crash and is being treated at a hospital.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 11 others in the tragic helicopter crash in India today. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said at his daily news conference that General Rawat was a valued partner.
He was a strong proponent of the US-India defence partnership. He helped to deepen the strategic partnership between our two countries. He was pivotal to that relationship and that's why our thoughts go out to the general family, the families of all those on board the flight, and to the people of India on the loss they have suffered today, Price said.
The Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said at a separate news conference that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin extended his deepest condolences to the Rawat family, the Indian military and the people of India after the tragic death of General Rawat in helicopter crash.
Kirby said he left an indelible mark on the course of the U.S.-India defence partnership and was at the centre of the transformation of the Indian Armed Forces into a more jointly integrated warfighting organisation.
The secretary had the privilege of meeting with him earlier this year and really came to view him as a valued partner and friend to the United States. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Rawat family as they lost other family members in this crash, and of course the families of all the other victims of this terrible, terrible incident, he told reporters.
Several top American lawmakers expressed their condolences at the demise of the Indian general in a tragic incident.
I send my deepest condolences to the people of India as they mourn the deaths of General Bipin Rawat, his wife, Madhulika Rawat, and the 11 other passengers lost, said Senator Rick Scott.
He said that India is strong and the United States stands with you during this time of grief.
My deepest condolences to the people of India after the tragic death of General Bipin Rawat, head of India's armed forces, his wife 12 others today. My thoughts and prayers are with their families, Senator Bill Hagerty said.
My most sincere condolences to the people of India and their armed forces for the lives lost in today's tragic aviation incident. Congressman Michael McCaul said in a tweet that he will continue to do everything I can to help our partnership grow into an enduring force for overcoming these and future adversities.
After this devastating loss, please join me in praying for India today, Congressman Mark Green said in a tweet.
General Rawat has two daughters.