India said it has lost a friend with the sudden death of Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin as the United Nations expressed shock at the demise of the veteran diplomat who fiercely defended Moscow against the West's criticism. Churkin died on Monday, a day before his 65th birthday. "Farewell Friend. Russia loses a stalwart diplomat; the world of diplomacy a consummate practitioner; India a friend. RIP Amb. Vitaly Churkin," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said in a post on Twitter. Akbaruddin's message was accompanied with his picture with Churkin taken at an event at India's Permanent Mission here.
Churkin's death shocked the world body and its leaders. The Russian Permanent Mission in a statement said Churkin was in his office "fulfilling his duties" when the tragedy occurred. It did not give details about the cause of his death but it is understood Churkin was rushed to hospital after a cardiac arrest. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he "learned with shock and sadness" about the Russian Ambassador's death. Guterres said Churkin was an outstanding, uniquely-skilled diplomat, a powerful orator with great wit, and a man of many talents and interests.
"Although we served together for a short time, I greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with him and will deeply miss his insights, skills and friendship," he said. It was Churkin, as President of the UN Security Council in October, who had announced the selection of Guterres as the next UN chief. Guterres's predecessor Ban Ki-moon, in a statement from Seoul, said during his 10 years as Secretary-General it was a "privilege" to work with Churkin and watch him represent Russia with passion and dedication.
"His diplomatic skills, quick wit, and ready sense of humour will long be remembered by those who knew him and by those who will study the history of the United Nations in the years to come," Ban said. The 15-nation Security Council "mourned" for the Ambassador, who spent more than 40 years at the Russian Diplomatic Service and headed the Russian Mission to the UN for over a decade.
