Prime Minister Manmohan Singhtoday condoled the death of the country's first NationalSecurity Adviser Brajesh Mishra and said the nation has losta towering pillar of its strategic community.
"I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing away ofBrajesh Mishra who was one of the most able and influentialpublic servants of his generation," the Prime Minister said.
"In his demise, the country has lost a towering pillar ofour strategic community and an outstanding diplomat andadministrator," he said.
Mishra, who would have turned 84 today, died last night.
Singh said as the first NSA, Mishra "brought to the jobhis breadth of strategic vision, diplomatic finesse and aboveall, a sense of India?s destiny and place in global affairs."
Singh said he had consulted Mishra on several occasionsas Prime Minister and "always found his counsel to beinsightful and free from bias. He always thought about whatwas right for the country."
He observed that as NSA and Principal Secretary to formerPrime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, "Mishra displayed a graspof administration and public affairs at the highest level thatfew will ever match."
"He will be remembered for his masterly handling of theaftermath of the nuclear tests in 1998 and for guidingVajpayee?s peace initiatives in the neighbourhood," the PrimeMinister said.
"Please accept my deepest condolences. May God give youthe strength to bear this irreparable loss," he said.