President Pranab Mukherjee delivered a speech on Saturday as he paid tribute to Former Cuban President Fidel Castro, who died on Friday night.
“I’m deeply sad to learn of Former Cuban President Fidel Castro's demise,” said the President.
Fidel Castro led a rebel army to improbable victory in Cuba, embraced Soviet-style communism and defied the power of 10 US presidents during his half century rule. The Former President also shared a good relationship with India as he was close to Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
“As leaders of the Non Alignment Movement, Fidel Castro made immense contribution and worked with India side by side since the success of his revolution in Cuba in 1959,” said the President.
The President also said that Fidel Castro will be remembered by the world for many years and his physical absence will be felt in the future.
“I pay my most respectful homage to this great revolutionary leader and human being,” said the President.
Fidel Castro, who survived a crippling US trade embargo as well as dozens, possibly hundreds, of assassination plots, died eight years after ill health forced him to formally hand power over to Raul Castro.