Former Indian PM IK Gujral dies aged 92: Minister
Gujral served as prime minister in a coalition government from April 1997 to March 1998.
NEW DELHI:
Former Indian prime minister Inder Kumar Gujral, who transformed India's icy relationship with arch rival Pakistan during his time in government, died Friday aged 92, the government said.
"I am deeply grieved to inform the house about the demise of Inder Kumar Gujral, the former prime minister of India. He passed away at 3:31 pm," Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde announced in the lower house of parliament.
Gujral, who served as prime minister in a coalition government from April 1997 to March 1998, was admitted to Gurgaon's Medanta Medicity hospital 11 days ago with a lung infection.
The former diplomat was born on December 4, 1919 in the city of Jhelum, Punjab (now part of Pakistan) into a family of Congress party workers.
Gujral joined the Congress party after India won independence and rose through the ranks to become minister of information and broadcasting under prime minister Indira Gandhi from 1969-71 and 1972-75.
Gujral left the Congress party in the 1980s and joined the socialist Janata Dal, serving twice as India's foreign minister before being appointed prime minister in a coalition government in 1997.
The urbane politician was best known for the so-called Gujral Doctrine, an approach to foreign policy based on peaceful accommodation, arguing that India should treat its neighbours with generosity.
As prime minister, he attempted to improve India's strained ties with Pakistan, saying it was time for both nations to leave the past behind and forge a new relationship.
Former Indian prime minister Inder Kumar Gujral, who transformed India's icy relationship with arch rival Pakistan during his time in government, died Friday aged 92, the government said.
"I am deeply grieved to inform the house about the demise of Inder Kumar Gujral, the former prime minister of India. He passed away at 3:31 pm," Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde announced in the lower house of parliament.
Gujral, who served as prime minister in a coalition government from April 1997 to March 1998, was admitted to Gurgaon's Medanta Medicity hospital 11 days ago with a lung infection.
The former diplomat was born on December 4, 1919 in the city of Jhelum, Punjab (now part of Pakistan) into a family of Congress party workers.
Gujral joined the Congress party after India won independence and rose through the ranks to become minister of information and broadcasting under prime minister Indira Gandhi from 1969-71 and 1972-75.
Gujral left the Congress party in the 1980s and joined the socialist Janata Dal, serving twice as India's foreign minister before being appointed prime minister in a coalition government in 1997.
The urbane politician was best known for the so-called Gujral Doctrine, an approach to foreign policy based on peaceful accommodation, arguing that India should treat its neighbours with generosity.
As prime minister, he attempted to improve India's strained ties with Pakistan, saying it was time for both nations to leave the past behind and forge a new relationship.