Australian Chief of Defence Force General Angus Campbell visited Indian High Commission in Canberra to pay his tributes to India Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat.
CDF Australia General Angus Campbell signed the condolence book at High Commission of India, Canberra, in remembrance of General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 11 military personnel.
“He was a genuine, thoughtful and dynamic leader who will be dearly missed, not just by India but also by the many friends who drew upon his wise counsel and insight. May his legacy live on in the armed forces and among those committed to peace and security,” General Campbell wrote.
General Bipin Rawat and his wife were among the 13 people killed after a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu.
“With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident,” the Indian Air Force (IAF) tweeted.
The Mi-17 V5 helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from the Air Force base in Sulur at 11.45 am, Coimbatore. It was heading to Wellington in the Nilgiri Hills and would have landed in the next ten minutes if it did not crash. Indian Air Force has ordered an Inquiry.
Many Australian leaders have paid their tributes to Genera Bipin Rawat and others killed in the accident.
Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton posted on Twitter that a true friend of Australia, CDS Gen Rawat was an outstanding leader who served India with great pride and distinction.
“On behalf of ADF, I extend our deepest condolences to the Indian Armed Forces, & people of India, on the tragic passing of Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Rawat, his wife & colleagues in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu,” he tweeted.
Shadow Minister for Defence Brendan O’Connor said, “Our thoughts are with the people of India today after the tragic death of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat and 12 others in a helicopter crash.”
“Gen Rawat held a long and significant military career and was the first Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces.”
“His wife Madhulika Rawat, a prominent social worker and vocal advocate for the well-being of the wives and children of Army personnel, also died in the crash. I note the strong ties between our two countries and our partnership through the recently reinvigorated Quad. Labor sends our deepest condolences.”
