Political leaders and other dignitaries expressed shock and grief over Sinha's sudden demise and recalled his contribution as a strategic thinker and leader in public policy. 

 "How fragile the life is! Met Shakti Sinha ji only yesterday and had a long and enriching interaction. Now he's no more. Deeply distressing!," Ajay Singh, Press Secretary to President Ram Nath Kovind, tweeted. BJP leader Ram Madhav said Sinha was a member of the Governing Board of India Foundation and was scheduled to address a conference at Leh this afternoon.