India’s representative to Palestine, Mukul Arya, was found dead inside the Indian Mission in Ramallah on Sunday. Mr Arya was a 2008-batch Indian Foreign Service officer. The cause of his death is not known yet.
Expressing shock and over his passing, India’s Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar said: “Deeply shocked to learn about the passing away of India’s Representative at Ramallah, Shri Mukul Arya.”
“He was a bright and talented officer with so much before him. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti,” Jaishankar added.
Senior political leadership in Palestine also expressed shock at the death of Mukul Arya at his workplace. The Palestinian foreign ministry said it received with “great astonishment and shock” the news of the death of Ambassador Arya.
“As soon as this painful news arrived, immediate instructions were issued from President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh to all the security, police and public authorities, in addition to the Ministry of Health and Forensic Medicine, to immediately move to the place of residence of the Indian ambassador to closely monitor the case of death,” the Palestinian foreign ministry said in a statement.
The statement further said that “all parties are fully prepared to do what is required of them in such difficult and emergency circumstances.” “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants expresses its deep sadness, loss and pain at the death of Ambassador Arya,” it said.
It said it is in touch with India’s external affairs ministry to complete the arrangements for transporting the body of Arya.
The ministry also added that Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki extended his heartfelt condolences to his Indian counterpart Jaishankar, and through him to the Indian government as well as to Arya’s family.
Mukul Arya had served as envoy to Kabul and Moscow. He was also deputed at the headquarters of the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi.
Mr Arya also served at India’s Permanent Delegation to the UNESCO in Paris.
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