Indian FM Reveals Kidney Failure as Reason for Absence From Key Meetings

As Sushma Swaraj, considered one of the most influential Ministers in the Modi cabinet, fails to active engage in critical decision-making process due to her ailment, questions are being raised whether she will be relegated to a less important portfolio?

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj’s absence from key events had become mystery. Strategic and political analysts were speculating that discord with Prime Minister Narendra Modi might be the reason for her low profile.

The Minister took to the social media on Monday morning to reveal that she was in hospital due to kidney failure.

"I am in AIIMS because of kidney failure. Presently, I am on dialysis. I am undergoing tests for a Kidney transplant. Lord Krishna will bless," she wrote on her Twitter handle.

I am in AIIMS because of kidney failure. Presently, I am on dialysis. I am undergoing tests for a Kidney transplant. Lord Krishna will bless

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 16, 2016

"She is being investigated as per her tweet and continues to be in good and stable medical condition," Dr Amit Gupta, head of AIIMS media and protocol division said.

"Her transplant test is going on. It will take a week or two at least; because donors are being found out," says sources.

The premier Government hospital, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), was to update her health status this evening but cancelled the press briefing.

Swaraj’s Tweet about her illness evoked widespread sympathy including offers for kidney donation to the charismatic politician.

@SushmaSwaraj Our sincere thoughts and deepest prayers are with you Sushmaji. Hope everything goes well and you emerge totally healed.

— Pritish Nandy (@PritishNandy) November 16, 2016

@SushmaSwaraj My prayers & good wishes are with you, Sushma ji. May you get well soon.

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) November 16, 2016

Swaraj, 64 years, is one of the most experienced ministers of Narendra Modi cabinet but remained absent in most of the Indian Government’s key strategic decisions, especially after the terror attack on an Indian Army camp and the strain in relationship with Pakistan.