Peres was a statesman: Pranab

President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday described former Israeli President Shimon Peres as a "statesman who made courageous efforts to achieve peace for his country and the region".

Peres, 93, a Nobel laureate and one of Israel's founding fathers, died on Wednesday.

Mukherjee expressed his condolence to his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin.

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Shimon Peres... Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

"Israel has lost a statesman who made courageous efforts to achieve peace for his country and the region.

"The worldwide admiration and accolades that he received for his work - including the Noble Peace Prize, are a testimony to the values that he stood for.

"Peres was a visionary who strongly believed in the power of knowledge, innovation and technology," Mukherjee said.

He said Peres would be remembered as a steadfast friend of India and his lasting contribution to the strengthening of bilateral partnership between the two countries would be long remembered.

"I warmly recall my last meeting with him in October 2015 (in) Israel," Mukherjee added.

--IANS

rak/mr