Ansari leads Indian delegation to Saudi king’s funeral

New Delhi: Vice President Hamid Ansari Saturday will lead the Indian government delegation at the funeral of king Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud who died early Friday.
The government has declared a day’s mourning Saturday and flags are being flown at half-mast.
An official statement said “the government and people of India have received with deep sadness and shock” the news of King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud who died of complications from pneumonia early Friday.
“India has maintained close and friendly relations with Saudi Arabia under the leadership of King Abdullah. These bonds have been especially strengthened by the presence of the large expatriate Indian community which has found a home in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the statement added.
Ansari is a former Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have sent messages of condolences to King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, who has succeeded him. (IANS)