Sushma Swaraj passes away Live Updates: Last rites to be held at 3 PM today

Sushma Swaraj demise Live Updates: Last rites to be held at 3 PM; leaders across the world pay tributes

Sushma Swaraj Death: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses grief over the senior leader's death; says a glorious chapter in Indian politics has come to an end

Sushma Swaraj death updates: Former external affairs minister died at AIIMS, Delhi, on Tuesday.

Sushma Swaraj death updates: Senior BJP leader and former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj passed away at the age of 67 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, after she suffered a heart attack on Tuesday night. Sushma Swaraj was admitted to the hospital around 10.15 PM, from where she was taken to the emergency ward. The body of former Union minister Sushma Swaraj will be kept for three hours at the BJP headquarters on Wednesday for people to pay tributes, BJP working President JP Nadda said. The body will be cremated with full state honours at Lodhi Road Electric Crematorium in Delhi around 3 PM today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the charismatic leader's death. In a series of tweets, PM Modi said Swaraj's demise was a "personal loss" for him. "She will be remembered fondly for everything that she's done for India. My thoughts are with her family, supporters and admirers in this very unfortunate hour," he said.

Follow all the latest updates on Sushma Swaraj's death on BusinessToday.In live blog.

8.36 AM: Have no words, says RS Prasad

8.34 AM: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sushma Swaraj's death

"Deeply shocked to learn of the passing away of #SushmaSwaraj. Difficult to accept this news. The whole nation grieves, the Foreign Ministry even more so."

8.31 AM: Country has lost a much loved leader: President

"Extremely shocked to hear of the passing of Smt Sushma Swaraj. The country has lost a much loved leader who epitomised dignity, courage & integrity in public life. Ever willing to help others, she will always be remembered for her service to the people of India."

8.20 AM: Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sushma Swaraj's death

"We're shocked, we never imagined that she'll leave us so soon. I knew her since 1977 when I was in youth Congress, we knew each other for last 42 years. We never called each other by name, she used to call me 'bhai' & I used to call her 'behen'."

8.15 AM: Shocked by sudden demise of Swaraj, says Venkaiah Naidu

Deeply shocked by sudden demise of #SushmaSwaraj. Her death is a huge loss to the country & personal loss to me. She was an excellent administrator, outstanding Parliamentarian & a remarkable orator. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family members.

8.14 PM: Leaders pay tributes to Sushma Swaraj

TMC MP Derek O'Brien and Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi pay last respect to former External Affairs Minister & BJP leader Sushma Swaraj at her residence.

8.13 AM: Mortal remains to be kept at BJP headquartersfor 3 hours

Sushma Swaraj's mortal remains will be kept at the BJP headquarters for three hours from 12 pm to 3 pm to let people pay tributes the astute politician.  

7.52 AM: Her spirit and commitment was unparalleled: PM Modi

"I can't forget the manner in which Sushma Ji worked tirelessly as EAM in the last 5 years. Even when her health was not good, she would do everything possible to do justice to her work and remain up to date with matters of her ministry. The spirit and commitment was unparalleled," says the PM.

7.48 AM: Sushma Swaraj's last tweets

Sushma Swaraj thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the abrogation of Section 370 in her last tweet hours before she passed away on late Tuesday evening. Swaraj had posted a few other tweets on Monday too, congratulating Home Minister Amit Shah and the parliamenterians on the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

6.30 AM: Mortal remains of Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj being taken from All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to her Delhi residence, where they will be kept tonight.

Read more: Sushma Swaraj's last tweets: From ISRO, Article 370 to Jadeja getting out, slamming Azam Khan

7.40 AM: She played a key role in bettering India's ties with nations: PM Modi

An excellent administrator, Sushma Ji set high standards in every Ministry she handled. She played a key role in bettering India's ties with various nations. As a Minister we also saw her compassionate side, helping fellow Indians who were in distress in any part of the world.

Also read: 'We will miss you': India mourns Sushma Swaraj's death

7.30 AM: Prolific orator and outstanding Parliamentarian: PM Modi

Sushma Ji was a prolific orator and outstanding Parliamentarian. She was admired and revered across party lines. She was uncompromising when it came to matters of ideology and interests of the BJP, whose growth she immensely contributed to.

7.15 AM: A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end: PM Modi

"A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end. India grieves the demise of a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and bettering lives of the poor. Sushma Swaraj Ji was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration for crores of people."

7.00 AM: Senior leaders meet the bereaved family

A host of Union ministers and other senior party leaders visited AIIMS and met the bereaved family of the former external affairs minister on Tuesday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Environment Minster Prakash Javadekar, HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal and Union Minister Smriti Irani were among the top leaders who visited the hospital.