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Bhutanese king lights thousand lamps in memory of Sushma Swaraj 

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THIMPHU: Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck lit thousand butter lamps and offered prayers in the memory of Sushma Swaraj, who passed away after suffering cardiac arrest, according to a media report.

Special prayers for the former external affairs minister were performed at Simtokha Dzong on Wednesday.

Wangchuk also sent a condolence message to Swaraj's family, the Bhutan Broadcasting Service reported.

Swaraj, who served as the foreign minister from 2014-2019, passed away on Tuesday. She was 67.

"Throughout her tenure, Her Excellency has been a friend of Bhutan and contributed to strengthening the relations between our two countries.

"She was well-loved, as an exemplary leader embodying grace, dignity, and strength," the report said.

Meanwhile, former Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay attended the last rites of Swaraj in New Delhi on Wednesday.

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