Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoles demise of Kim Jong II

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today condoled the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong II and hoped that the country will be able to overcome the grief with "courage and fortitude".

In a message, Singh conveyed his condolences to family of the deceased leader as well as to the people and government of Democratic People's Republic of Korea, hoping that they will overcome their grief with courage and fortitude.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed also expressed grief over the death of the North Korean leader. Signing the condolence book at Embassy of DPRK here, he observed, "It is with a deep sense of sorrow that we have learnt about the sad demise of H.E Kim Jong II."

Ahamed also conveyed assurances of India's commitment to bilateral relations with that country.

North Korea yesterday had announced the death of its supreme leader Kim who ruled the country for 17 years.