One-day state mourning will be observed across India on Sunday as a mark of respect to UK’s Queen Elizabeth II who passed away on Thursday. National flags at Red Fort and Rashtrapati Bhavan were flown at half-mast.
The queen died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after remaining the UK’s longest-serving monarch for 70 years. She was 96.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, passed away on September 8, 2022. As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the government of India has decided that there will be one day state mourning on September 11 throughout India,” an official statement said.
On the day of mourning, the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the country on all buildings where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the day, the statement said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid heartfelt tributes to the queen, saying she was a stalwart who provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people.
Recalling his “memorable” meetings with the Queen in 2015 and 2018, PM Modi said she personified dignity and decency in public life.
“I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture,” the prime minister said.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a stalwart of our times. She provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people. She personified dignity and decency in public life. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and people of the UK in this sad hour,” he said.
The state funeral for the Queen Elizabeth will take place on September 19 at Westminster Abbey in London.