Ramesh condoles Ethiopian premier's death

Recalling his meetings with Zenawi in Addis Ababa in October, 2008 and Copenhagen at the Climate Change Conference in December, 2009, Ramesh said, "he was easily among the most outstanding of political leaders I have ever met anywhere."

In his condolence message to Azeb Mesfin, widow of the departed leader, the Rural Development Minister said, "It was at Copenhagen that he really emerged as a very effective and sensitive spokesperson on environmental and climate change issues."

"I recall Zenawi with great fondness. He had a special liking for India and had told me on more than one occasion how Indians have been contributing to the development of Ethiopia," Ramesh said.

"I wish to offer my deepest condolences to you, your son and two daughters on his untimely demise. The resilience of Ethiopia will now be tested but I am confident that Zenawi's contributions to the building of modern Ethiopia will endure and help the country navigate the times ahead," he said.

Born on May 8, 1955, Meles became the President of Ethiopia in 1991 and Prime Minister in 1995, a position that is both the head of the federal government and armed forces.