Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his last respects to Mr Parrikar and interacted with his family. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accompanied PM Modi.

Thousands also gathered on the steets of Panaji to catch a final glimpse of Manohar Parrikar as his mortal remains were brought to the BJP office for party workers to pay their last respect.

His last rites will be performed at 5 pm at the Miramar beach, next to the memorial of Goa's first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar, who was also cremated there.

Parrikar would be accorded a state funeral with full military honours, according to the home ministry. The central government has announced national mourning on Monday.