Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Tuesday (10 September) paid homage to former finance minister and BJP leader Arun Jaitly and said that there will always be a burden on his heart for not being able to attend his funeral and pay last respects, reports Indian Express.

Attending a prayer meeting for Jaitley, who died on 24 August, PM Modi said, “I never thought a day will come when I’ll have to pay tribute to my friend. We were friends for so long but I couldn’t pay my last respects to him, there will always be a burden on my heart because of it.”

The Prime Minister could not attend the funeral of Jaitley as he was on a three-nation visit at that time.

Lauding Jaitley's spirits and dedication towards the nation, PM Modi shared, “Jaitley Ji had health ailments but if one spoke to him, he was more concerned about the nation. Serving the nation energised him.”

Jaitley had been in a critical state since 9 August and was admitted at AIIMS Delhi, where he died on 24 August.

After Jaitley’s demise, PM Modi spoke to his family members, who asked him to continue his visit in the national interest. Jaitley was cremated at Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat, with politicians from across the spectrum attending the last rites of the former finance minister.