ISLAMABAD – Manohar Parrikar, the Goa chief minister and former Indiandefence minister, passed away on Sunday at the age of 63 after a longbattle with cancer, Indian media reported.

Parrikar had been diagnosed with cancer in February last year.

He had been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New Yorksince February last year after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Manohar Parrikar, ChiefMinister of Goa, after an illness borne with fortitude and dignity. Anepitome of integrity and dedication in public life, his service to thepeople of Goa and of India will not be forgotten #PresidentKovindlink

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 17, 2019link

Ram Nath Kovind, the Indian president, said that Parrikar’s services to thepeople of Goa and Indian will not be forgotten.