Church leaders have expressed their condolences following the death of Sushma Swaraj, India’s former external affairs minister, recalling her role in securing freedom for two abducted Catholic priests.

Swaraj, a prominent member of the pro – Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), died on August 6 following a heart attack. She was 67.

“She brought a human touch to all decisions of the ministry. As foreign minister, she was our best ambassador and projected a great image of the country in international circles,” said Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Indian bishops’ conference.

Swaraj headed the foreign ministry during the first term (May 2014 to May 2019) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An acute diabetic, she underwent a kidney transplant in 2016. She later moved away from active politics and was not part of the cabinet.

The untimely death of BJP leader and former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has saddened Salesian Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who freed 18 months after his abduction by suspected Islamic militants in strife-torn Yemen in 2016.

Recalling Swaraj’s role as external affairs minister in securing his freedom, Father Uzhu-nnalil said he prayed for the 67-year-old leader, who “was like a sister” to him.

“I feel so sad about the demise of such a beloved and pleasant personality. Of course, I prayed at once for her soul and then prayed for her near and dear ones,” the Indian Express quoted Father Uzhunnalil saying as saying.

The priest was abducted in Herat province in western Afghanistan by unidentified gunmen on June 2, 2014. He was released on Feb. 22, 2015.