The official visit to India by His Majesty King Gyanendra and Her Majesty Queen Komal was postponed Thursday for an indefinite period due to the sudden demise of former Indian premier,  P V Narasimha Rao.

Former Indian premier, Rao,  passed away  in New Delhi  this afternoon at the age of 83. India has announced three-day national mourning at the demise of the former premier.

Rao was admitted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences two weeks ago after suffering a heart attack. He passed away in the hospital at 14:55 NST Thursday, reports said.

Their Majesties were all set to leave for New Delhi Thursday afternoon on an 11-day official visit to India at the invitation of President of India, A P J Abdul Kalam, as the news of the passing away of the former Indian premier became public.

Officials told media personnel waiting at the VVIP lounge of the Tribhuvan International Airport that the royal visit had been postponed.
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, senior government officials, diplomats and members of the royal family were also present at the TIA to see off Their Majesties.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued Thursday afternoon, Indian embassy in Kathmandu said, “The government of India deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to His Majesty and His Majesty’s Government.”

The visit will be rescheduled as early as possible in consultation with His Majesty’s Government, the embassy said.