New Delhi(PTI): Senior journalist and Indian Express national bureau chief Ravish Tiwari passed away following a two-year-long battle with cancer.

He was 40.

Tiwari died in Gurgaon on Friday night and leaves behind his parents, wife and a brother. Tiwari was also the national political editor of The Indian Express. He had previously worked at India Today and The Economic Times.

He had done his schooling from the government-run Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and thereafter completed his BTech from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

Tributes poured in for Tiwari. President Ram Nath Kovind said Tiwari's death ''silences a distinct voice in news media''.

"For Ravish Tiwari, journalism was a passion, and he chose it over lucrative professions. He had an enviable knack for reporting and incisive commentary. His sudden and shocking demise silences a distinct voice in news media. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues," he said in a tweet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while condoling Tiwari's demise said he was insightful and humble .

"Destiny has taken away Ravish Tiwari too soon. A bright career in the media world comes to an end. I would enjoy reading his reports and would also periodically interact with him. He was insightful and humble. Condolences to his family and many friends. Om Shanti," Modi tweeted.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Tiwari was a ''young, bright and professional journalist''.

"Shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of, Ravish Tiwari. He was a young, bright and professional journalist, full of life. My condolences to his family and friends. May God give them strength to bear the irreparable loss. Om Shanti," Shah tweeted.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh remembered Tiwari as a close friend.

"Ravish Tiwari, a product of Navodaya Vidyalaya, IIT Mumbai & Oxford, was amongst the finest, scholarly & objective journalists. He'd been critical of me as Env Minister, but we were closest of friends. Just 4 days ago we had a long chat. Extremely saddened by his untimely demise," he tweeted.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also paid tributes to Tiwari.

"The untimely demise of senior journalist Ravish Tiwari is extremely saddening. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues from the newsroom. May God bless his soul," he said.

Kejriwal's colleague and AAP leader Atishi called Tiwari her dearest and most loyal friend.

"Lost my best friend @ravishkt today after his long battle with cancer. While the world has lost a sharp and insightful journalist, I have lost my dearest and most loyal friend. Ravish: you will be missed deeply...," she tweeted.

Senior journalist Vikas Bhadauria shared the news of Tiwari's death on Twitter.

"Profound journalist, a great human being and my dearest friend, Ravish Tiwari, passed away last (Friday) night. Last rites will be performed at Sector-20, Gurgaon 3.30 PM today. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti," he tweeted.

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New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted strategic partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism, and he is looking forward to his discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The prime minister is due to leave for Israel on on Wednesday on a two-day visit.

Before embarking, Modi said he was confident that his visit would further consolidate the "enduring bonds" between India and Israel, set new goals for the strategic partnership, and advance the countries' shared vision for a resilient, innovative, and prosperous future.

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Modi said the visit comes at the invitation of his "dear friend Prime Minister Netanyahu."

"I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains, including science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management... defence and security, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people ties," he said in his departure statement.

The prime minister said the two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

During the visit, Modi will meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

"I will also have the honour of becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, an occasion that would be a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations," he said.

Modi said he is looking forward to interacting with the members of the Indian diaspora who have long been nurturing the India-Israel friendship.