India expresses deepest condolences over the death of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin

Mr. Jiang was China's first head of state to have visited India in 1996 heralding a new era of constructive cooperation between the two countries by signing a crucial agreement to reduce the tensions along their disputed border.

India has expressed its deepest condolences over the demise of China's former President Jiang Zemin, the first Chinese head of state to visit New Delhi in 1996 since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1950.

Mr. Jiang, who was the President from 1993-2003, died due to leukemia and multiple organ failure in Shanghai at the age of 96, it was officially announced here on Wednesday.

The Indian Embassy in Beijing has expressed its deepest condolences over the passing of former President of the People's Republic of China, Jiang Zemin, it said in a post on its official social media account on Weibo on Wednesday.

Mr. Jiang was China's first head of state to have visited India in 1996 heralding a new era of constructive cooperation between the two countries by signing a crucial agreement to reduce the tensions along their disputed border.

The announcement of Mr. Jiang's death was made by the top organs of the ruling Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for which he was the leading light for over two decades.

His death comes as China sees some of its most serious protests since the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests, with many demonstrating against harsh Covid restrictions in the country.

A funeral committee headed by President Xi Jinping has been formed and the date for the state funeral is yet to be announced.