Parrikar loses battle with cancer,US ambassador condoles over Twitter

United States Ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, on Monday, condoled the demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. "Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go to the family and friends of Manohar Parrikar, Goa Chief Minister and former Indian Defence Minister. He was greatly respected by the United States, and his loss will be deeply felt," Juster tweeted.

Senior BJP leader Parrikar, 63, breathed his last at his residence in Dona Paula near Panaji on Sunday evening. A four-time Chief Minister of Goa and a former Defence Minister, Parrikar had been in and out of the hospitals since February last year. It was in October last year that the state government made a formal announcement about Parrikar suffering from a pancreatic ailment. He had undergone treatment in the United States as well as in New Delhi.

Parrikar took charge as the Chief Minister on March 14, 2017, and held the office till his end. He had previously served as the Chief Minister of the state from 2000 to 2002, 2002 to 2005 and from 2012 to 2014.