The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the passing away of former President of Portugal, Mr. Mario Alberto Nobre Lopes Soares.

In a message to His Excellency Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of the Portuguese Republic, the President said, "I learned with sadness of the passing of Former President of Portugal, His Excellency Mr. Mario Alberto Nobre Lopes Soares.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India.

President Soares will long be remembered as the Founding Father of Democracy in Portugal and as a world figure, deeply appreciated for his contribution to human rights and world peace. We, in India, recall his central role in the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Portugal and India in 1974.

I would request you to please convey my deepest sympathies to the bereaved family of President Mario Soares and to the Government and people of Portugal at the loss of this respected leader”.

This Press Release issued at 1750 hrs.