President Sheikh Mohamed offers condolences to Indian leader Modi on death of mother

Narendra Modi shared a close bond with mother Heeraben, who was 100

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi carries the body of his mother, Heeraben, at a crematorium in Gandhinagar, India. Reuters

Mr Modi prays beside his mother's body during the funeral procession in the north-western Gujarat state. AP

He attends the last rites of his mother, who died at the age of 100. EPA

Mr Modi leaves after the funeral in Gandhinagar. Reuters

Students from the Gurukul School of Art in Mumbai display a painting of Mr Modi's mother. EPA

President Sheikh Mohamed has extended his sympathies to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the death of his mother.

Heeraben Modi died in the early hours of Friday morning, aged 100.

She had suffered from health problems and had been receiving treatment at a hospital in Ahmedabad, in the western state of Gujarat, since Wednesday.

Mr Modi led a funeral procession on Friday in the city of Gandhinagar, in Gujarat.

“I offer my deepest condolences to my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the passing of his mother, Heeraben Modi,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter.

“Our heartfelt sympathies are with him and his family during this difficult time.”

Both Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, sent messages of condolences to Mr Modi, state news agency Wam reported.

Mr Modi, who shared a close bond with his mother, paid tribute to her on Twitter.

“A glorious century lasts at the feet of God … in my Maa, I have always felt that trinity that contains the journey of an ascetic, the symbol of a selfless karmayogi and a life committed to values,” he wrote.

He also shared memories of her 100th birthday in June.

“When I met her on her 100th birthday, she said one thing that I always remember, 'Work with intelligence and live life with purity,'” he said.

Heeraben Modi lived her entire life in Raysan village, near Gandhinagar.

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Modi met in Abu Dhabi in June to help further bolster the close links between their countries.

During his visit, Mr Modi offered his condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa in May, recalling his honourable humanitarian values.

The Indian Prime Minister also congratulated Sheikh Mohamed on his election as President.

President Sheikh Mohamed meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi - in pictures

President Sheikh Mohamed receives Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

President Sheikh Mohamed welcomes Mr Modi at the Presidential Airport.

President Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Mr Modi at the airport.

President Sheikh Mohamed meets Mr Modi alongside Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, UAE National Security Adviser.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, National Security Adviser, greets Mr Modi.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, greets Mr Modi at the airport.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, greets Mr Modi.

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, shakes hands with Mr Modi.

From left to right, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed; Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and managing director and group chief executive of Mubadala Investment Company; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, adviser for special affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs; and Ali Al Shamsi, deputy secretary general of the Supreme National Security Council, attend a meeting with Mr Modi.

Members of the Indian delegation accompanying Mr Modi.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, attend the meeting.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, National Security Adviser, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attend the meeting.

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council member; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation; and Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, attend the meeting.