JOIN USPrime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday condoled the death of the country’s first national security advisor Brajesh Mishra, one of the “most able” and ''influential'' public servants of his generation.
While serving as the national security adviser NSA and the principal secretary to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mishra displayed a flair for administration and public affairs at the highest level that few will ever match.
“I consulted Mishra on a number of occasions as the prime minister and found his counsel to be insightful and free from bias. He always thought about what was right for the country,” Singh said in his message
“He will be remembered for his masterly handling of the aftermath of the nuclear tests in 1998 and for guiding Vajpayee’s peace initiatives in the neighbourhood. With the demise of Mishra, the country has lost a towering pillar of our strategic community and an outstanding diplomat and administrator,” the prime minister said.
Mishra’s last rites will be held here on Monday, after arrival of his son and daughter from the US.
Condoling Mishra’s demise, Vice-President M Hamid Ansari said he was a distinguished diplomat and a public servant of the “highest caliber,” who served the country with “great distinction”.