KATHMANDU: President of Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi has expressed her grief over the death of Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, saying he led Nepal during extremely difficult and testing times.

Issuing a statement, India's main opposition party leader said, "He (Koirala) led his country during extremely difficult and testing times and contributed immensely to the transition of Nepal into a Republic.”

“Underlining the close relation with Nepal as also that with the Nepali Congress, to which Koirala belonged, his contribution to fostering Indo-Nepal ties will always be remembered,” she added.