India said it has lost a friend with the sudden death of Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin as the United Nations expressed shock at the demise of the veteran diplomat who fiercely defended Moscow against the West's criticism.
Churkin died yesterday, a day before his 65th birthday.
"Farewell Friend. Russia loses a stalwart diplomat; the world of diplomacy a consummate practitioner; India a friend. RIP Amb. Vitaly Churkin," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said in a post on Twitter.
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Akbaruddin's message was accompanied with his picture with Churkin taken at an event at India's Permanent Mission here.
Churkin's death shocked the world body and its leaders.
The Russian Permanent Mission in a statement said Churkin was in his office "fulfilling his duties" when the tragedy occurred. It did not give details about the cause of his death but it is understood Churkin was rushed to hospital after a cardiac arrest.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he "learned with shock and sadness" about the Russian Ambassador's death.
Guterres said Churkin was an outstanding, uniquely-skilled diplomat, a powerful orator with great wit, and a man of many talents and interests.
"Although we served together for a short time, I greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with him and will deeply miss his insights, skills and friendship," he said.
It was Churkin, as President of the UN Security Council in October, who had announced the selection of Guterres as the next UN chief.
Guterres's predecessor Ban Ki-moon, in a statement from Seoul, said during his 10 years as Secretary-General it was a "privilege" to work with Churkin and watch him represent Russia with passion and dedication.
"His diplomatic skills, quick wit, and ready sense of humour will long be remembered by those who knew him and by those who will study the history of the United Nations in the years to come," Ban said.
The 15-nation Security Council "mourned" for the Ambassador, who spent more than 40 years at the Russian Diplomatic Service and headed the Russian Mission to the UN for over a decade.
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The news came around the time of the daily noon briefing at the UN and deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq was visibly shocked when a journalist mentioned that Churkin has died.
"Oh! Oh, no. This just happened? He's been such a regular presence here that it's... That I'm actually quite stunned. And our thoughts go to his family, to his friends, and to his Government," Haq said.
UN General Assembly President Peter Thomson said: "His name will live on in the annals of UN history. We will remember him for his intellect and diplomatic skill, his good humour and consideration for others. We all experienced and respected the pride he took in serving his country and the passion and resolution he brought to his job."
Appointed the Permanent Representative to the UN in 2006, Churkin was one of Russia's longest-serving ambassadors to the UN.
Churkin often clashed with American colleagues in the Security Council and fiercely defended Russia's policies, including Moscow's actions in Ukraine and its bombing of the Syrian city Aleppo to oust rebels opposed to President Bashar Al-Assad.
In December, when the Council argued on actions in Syria, former US envoy Samantha Power asked Syria and its allies Russia and Iran whether they are "truly incapable of shame?"
Retorting Power's remarks, Churkin said she was speaking "as if she was Mother Teresa".
Yesterday, Power tweeted, "Devastated by passing of Russian UN Amb Vitaly Churkin. Diplomatic maestro &deeply caring man who did all he cld to bridge US-RUS differences".
