Indian politician and Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalitha’s demise has left her followers and colleagues in the state of shock.
Singapore Foreign Affairs minister Vivian Balakrishnan has travelled to Chennai, India to pay tribute to the deceased leader.
A statement along with pictures on the Facebook page of Vivian Balakrishnan, stated, "On behalf of Singaporeans, paid our last respects to the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. I have never forgotten meeting her more than a decade ago in Chennai. She graciously made time for me. Her passion, energy and grand vision were so inspiring. India has lost a great daughter and Singapore a staunch friend."
Also read: The end of an era: Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa bids adieu to this world
As per the official statistics, Singapore’s population consists 74 per cent Chinese, 13 per cent Malay and 9 per cent Indians, which also includes Tamils.
Tamil is also one of the official languages along with English, Mandarin, and Malay.
Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Balakrishnan’s father is also Tamil.