Indian Representative in Palestine Mukul Arya found dead

Jerusalem: Mukul Arya, India's representative at the Palestinian city of Ramallah, has passed away, according to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday.

"Deeply shocked to learn about the passing away of India's Representative at Ramallah, Shri Mukul Arya," Jaishankar tweeted.

"He was a bright and talented officer with so much before him. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti," he said.

It was not immediately known how Arya, a 2008-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, died.

The Palestinian foreign ministry said it received with "great astonishment and shock" the news of the death of Ambassador Arya.

"As soon as this painful news arrived, immediate instructions were issued from President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh to all the security, police and public authorities, in addition to the Ministry of Health and Forensic Medicine, to immediately move to the place of residence of the Indian ambassador to closely monitor the case of death," it said in a statement.

It further added that "all parties are fully prepared to do what is required of them in such difficult and emergency circumstances."

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants expresses its deep sadness, loss and pain at the death of Ambassador Arya," it said.

The ministry said it is in touch with India's external affairs ministry to complete the arrangements for transporting the mortal remains of Arya.

It said Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki extended his heartfelt condolences to his Indian counterpart Jaishankar, and through him to the Indian government as well as to Arya's family.

Arya, 38, was a career diplomat who served at the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi, in addition to serving at the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO in Paris and at the Embassies of India in Kabul and Moscow.
He was raised and educated in Delhi, studied Economics at Delhi University and JNU, before joining the Indian Foreign Service in 2008, according to the website of the Representative Office of India in Ramallah, Palestine.

Palestine condoles death

The top leadership of Palestine on Sunday expressed shock at the death of the Indian representative.
On this sad occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Dr Riyad Al-Maliki extends his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar and through him to the friendly Indian government, the family of Representative Arya and his relatives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, in a statement, also expressed its deep sadness, loss, and pain at the death of Representative Arya.
The ministry said it is conducting its official contacts with the Indian Foreign Ministry to complete the arrangements for transporting the body of the deceased to India for his burial.
"As soon as this painful news arrived, immediate instructions were issued from President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Dr Muhammad Shtayyeh to all the security, police and public authorities," it said.