India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 others died on Wednesday after their helicopter crashed in Coonoor.
The Indian Air Force tweeted ”With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident.”
Also read | Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff: A life dedicated to nation
As soon as the news of Rawat’s demise got confirmed, tributes started pouring in from all across the world.
The US Embassy and Consulates in India expressed their deepest condolences to the Rawat family and the families of those who perished in the tragic helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu.
”As India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Rawat spearheaded a historic period of transformation in the Indian military. He was a strong friend and partner of the United States, overseeing a major expansion of India’s defense cooperation with the US military,” it said in a statement.
Also read | PM Modi leads condolences after India’s CDS Gen Rawat dies in chopper crash
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted, ”My deep condolences on the deaths of Indian Chief of Defense Staff General Rawat, his wife, and colleagues who perished in today’s tragic accident. We’ll remember Gen. Rawat as an exceptional leader who served his country and contributed to the U.S.-India defense relationship.”
My deep condolences on the deaths of Indian Chief of Defense Staff General Rawat, his wife, and colleagues who perished in today’s tragic accident. We’ll remember Gen. Rawat as an exceptional leader who served his country and contributed to the U.S.-India defense relationship. https://t.co/yjLv9R05on
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 8, 2021
Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong said, ”Deep condolences on the sad demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and other victims in the helicopter crash accident. My sympathy goes to all the family members of General Bipin Rawat.”
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted, ”Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & loved ones of Gen. Bipin Rawat, chief of defense staff, his wife & 11 others who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash. Taiwan grieves with India at this difficult time.”
Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & loved ones of Gen. Bipin Rawat, chief of defense staff, his wife & 11 others who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash. Taiwan grieves with India at this difficult time. https://t.co/WZm5P6BraO
— 外交部 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MOFA_Taiwan) December 8, 2021
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, Yair Lapid tweeted, ”On behalf of the people of Israel, I extend my deepest condolences to the people and government of India on the loss of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and the 11 other military personnel lost in today’s tragic accident.”
On behalf of the people of Israel, I extend my deepest condolences to the people and government of India on the loss of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and the 11 other military personnel lost in today’s tragic accident.
— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid🟠 (@yairlapid) December 8, 2021
Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu said, ”I was deeply saddened to learn about the deadly helicopter crash that killed India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 11 others in Tamil Nadu. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. May they rest in peace.”
I was deeply saddened to learn about the deadly helicopter crash that killed India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others in Tamil Nadu.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. May they rest in peace. 🇮🇱🙏🇮🇳
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) December 8, 2021
Australia’s High Commissioner to India said, ”Our deepest sympathies to the families of CDS General Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat & others on the helicopter.”
British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis said, Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer & a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident.”
Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer & a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident.
— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) December 8, 2021
Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba tweeted, ”Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials in a helicopter crash. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & the Indian Armed Forces.”
Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials in a helicopter crash. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & the Indian Armed Forces.
— Sher Bahadur Deuba (@SherBDeuba) December 8, 2021
Spokesperson Pakistan Armed Forces said, ”General Nadeem Raza, CJCSC & General Qamar Javed Bajwa, COAS express condolences on tragic death of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and loss of precious lives in a helicopter crash in India.”
General Nadeem Raza, CJCSC & General Qamar Javed Bajwa, COAS express condolences on tragic death of #CDS General #BipinRawat, his wife and loss of precious lives in a helicopter crash in India
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 8, 2021
Also read | Bipin Rawat, his wife among 13 killed in helicopter crash
Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai said, ”Participate in the mourning of India, for the death of Bipin Rawat, his wife and other 11 soldiers who killed in a helicopter crash. This is a sad day for India and its friends all over the world. Israeli tears from Mumbai.”
Participate in the mourning of🇮🇳 , for the death of Bipin Rawat, his wife and other 11 soldiers who killed in helicopter crash. This is a sad day for India and its friends all over the world. Israeli tears from Mumbai
— Kobbi Shoshani – Consul General🇮🇱 (@KobbiShoshani) December 8, 2021
Nepal Army’s spokesperson said ”COAS Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma and all ranks of the Nepali Army pay their deepest condolences on the untimely demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Rawat, and 11 others in the unfortunate accident.”
COAS Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma and all ranks of the Nepali Army pay their deepest condolences on the untimely demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Rawat and 11 others in the unfortunate accident.#Condolences
— NASpokesperson (@NaSpokesperson) December 8, 2021
Bangladeshi Foreign minister writes to India’s EAM Jaishankar, extends condolences over demise of CDS Bipin Rawat, wife and other members of the entourage pic.twitter.com/hPGo47FVPR
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) December 8, 2021
Additional Directorate General of Public Information tweeted, ”General MM Naravane COAS & All Ranks of #IndianArmy pay heartfelt condolences on the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat CDS, Mrs Madhulika Rawat & 11 other passengers on board, in an unfortunate air crash at Coonoor.”
“Chief of the Defence Staff #CDS is all about #Synergy where effort is to achieve more than the sum of the whole. Sum of synergistic application of three Services is not for 1+1+1=3 but sum to be 5 or 7.”
-General Bipin Rawat#CDS
At Tri-Services Guard of Honour
01 January 2020 pic.twitter.com/mWF83IlbIV— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 1, 2020
Rawat, who is India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, was appointed to the position by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in 2019.
The 63-year-old came from a military family with several generations having served in the Indian armed forces.
The general joined the army as a second lieutenant in 1978 and had four decades of service behind him, having commanded forces in Indian-administered Kashmir and along the Line of Actual Control bordering China.
India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 others died on Wednesday after their helicopter crashed in Coonoor. The Indian Air Force tweeted ”With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident.” Also read | Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff: A life dedicated to nation As soon as the news of Rawat’s demise got confirmed, tributes started pouring in from all across the world. The US Embassy and Consulates in India expressed their deepest condolences to the Rawat family and the families of those who perished in the tragic helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu. ”As India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Rawat spearheaded a historic period of transformation in the Indian military. He was a strong friend and partner of the United States, overseeing a major expansion of India’s defense cooperation with the US military,” it said in a statement. Also read | PM Modi leads condolences after India’s CDS Gen Rawat dies in chopper crash Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted, ”My deep condolences on the deaths of Indian Chief of Defense Staff General Rawat, his wife, and colleagues who perished in today’s tragic accident. We’ll remember Gen. Rawat as an exceptional leader who served his country and contributed to the U.S.-India defense relationship.” My deep condolences on the deaths of Indian Chief of Defense Staff General Rawat, his wife, and colleagues who perished in today’s tragic accident. We’ll remember Gen. Rawat as an exceptional leader who served his country and contributed to the U.S.-India defense relationship. https://t.co/yjLv9R05on — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 8, 2021 × Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong said, ”Deep condolences on the sad demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and other victims in the helicopter crash accident. My sympathy goes to all the family members of General Bipin Rawat.” Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted, ”Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & loved ones of Gen. Bipin Rawat, chief of defense staff, his wife & 11 others who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash. Taiwan grieves with India at this difficult time.” Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & loved ones of Gen. Bipin Rawat, chief of defense staff, his wife & 11 others who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash. Taiwan grieves with India at this difficult time. https://t.co/WZm5P6BraO — 外交部 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MOFA_Taiwan) December 8, 2021 × Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, Yair Lapid tweeted, ”On behalf of the people of Israel, I extend my deepest condolences to the people and government of India on the loss of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and the 11 other military personnel lost in today’s tragic accident.” On behalf of the people of Israel, I extend my deepest condolences to the people and government of India on the loss of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and the 11 other military personnel lost in today’s tragic accident. — יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid🟠 (@yairlapid) December 8, 2021 × Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu said, ”I was deeply saddened to learn about the deadly helicopter crash that killed India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 11 others in Tamil Nadu. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. May they rest in peace.” I was deeply saddened to learn about the deadly helicopter crash that killed India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others in Tamil Nadu. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. May they rest in peace. 🇮🇱🙏🇮🇳 — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) December 8, 2021 × Australia’s High Commissioner to India said, ”Our deepest sympathies to the families of CDS General Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat & others on the helicopter.” British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis said, Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer & a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident.” Tragic news. Gen Rawat was a wise man, a brave soldier, a pioneer & a generous host to me only weeks ago. We mourn his death and that of his wife, and all killed in this terrible accident. — Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) December 8, 2021 × Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba tweeted, ”Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials in a helicopter crash. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & the Indian Armed Forces.” Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, and several defence officials in a helicopter crash. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & the Indian Armed Forces. — Sher Bahadur Deuba (@SherBDeuba) December 8, 2021 × Spokesperson Pakistan Armed Forces said, ”General Nadeem Raza, CJCSC & General Qamar Javed Bajwa, COAS express condolences on tragic death of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and loss of precious lives in a helicopter crash in India.” General Nadeem Raza, CJCSC & General Qamar Javed Bajwa, COAS express condolences on tragic death of #CDS General #BipinRawat, his wife and loss of precious lives in a helicopter crash in India — DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 8, 2021 × Also read | Bipin Rawat, his wife among 13 killed in helicopter crash Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai said, ”Participate in the mourning of India, for the death of Bipin Rawat, his wife and other 11 soldiers who killed in a helicopter crash. This is a sad day for India and its friends all over the world. Israeli tears from Mumbai.” Participate in the mourning of🇮🇳 , for the death of Bipin Rawat, his wife and other 11 soldiers who killed in helicopter crash. This is a sad day for India and its friends all over the world. Israeli tears from Mumbai — Kobbi Shoshani – Consul General🇮🇱 (@KobbiShoshani) December 8, 2021 × Nepal Army’s spokesperson said ”COAS Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma and all ranks of the Nepali Army pay their deepest condolences on the untimely demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Rawat, and 11 others in the unfortunate accident.” COAS Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma and all ranks of the Nepali Army pay their deepest condolences on the untimely demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Rawat and 11 others in the unfortunate accident.#Condolences — NASpokesperson (@NaSpokesperson) December 8, 2021 × Bangladeshi Foreign minister writes to India’s EAM Jaishankar, extends condolences over demise of CDS Bipin Rawat, wife and other members of the entourage pic.twitter.com/hPGo47FVPR — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) December 8, 2021 × Additional Directorate General of Public Information tweeted, ”General MM Naravane COAS & All Ranks of #IndianArmy pay heartfelt condolences on the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat CDS, Mrs Madhulika Rawat & 11 other passengers on board, in an unfortunate air crash at Coonoor.” “Chief of the Defence Staff #CDS is all about #Synergy where effort is to achieve more than the sum of the whole. Sum of synergistic application of three Services is not for 1+1+1=3 but sum to be 5 or 7.” -General Bipin Rawat#CDS At Tri-Services Guard of Honour 01 January 2020 pic.twitter.com/mWF83IlbIV — ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) January 1, 2020 × Rawat, who is India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, was appointed to the position by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in 2019. The 63-year-old came from a military family with several generations having served in the Indian armed forces. The general joined the army as a second lieutenant in 1978 and had four decades of service behind him, having commanded forces in Indian-administered Kashmir and along the Line of Actual Control bordering China.