President Pranab Mukherjee today condoled the passing away of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
"Heartfelt condolences on sad demise of Cuba's revolutionary leader, former President and friend of India, Fidel Castro," he said in a tweet.
The communist idol, who led a rebel army to improbable victory in Cuba, embraced Soviet-style communism and defied the power of 10 US presidents during his half century rule, died at age 90.
With a shaking voice, Cuban President Raul Castro said on state television that his older brother died at 10:29 PM on Friday.
Cuba's government has announced that Fidel's ashes would be interred on December 4 in the eastern city of Santiago, the birthplace of his revolution.
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Vice President M Hamid Ansari also condoled the demise of Castro.
"I am profoundly saddened at the passing away of Commander Fidel Castro of Cuba, a heroic figure and an influential personality on the world stage..
"In his death, the people of Cuba have lost the architect of their revolution and the developing countries of the world a champion of equality and justice," Ansari said in a statement.
The Vice-president also said that Castro was a dear friend of India, and would continue to be remembered here, particularly for his role in the Non-Aligned Movement.
