Farewell to Lord Meghnad Desai: A Pillar of India-UK Relations

Lord Meghnad Desai, a renowned British Indian economist and a serving peer of the House of Lords, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 85 in Gurugram. His demise was confirmed by sources close to his family in London, following a health issue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, expressing his grief over the loss of a prominent Gujarat-born parliamentarian who furthered India-UK relations. Modi shared his condolences on social media, highlighting Desai's loyalty to Indian culture and his valuable insights in their discussions.

Rami Ranger, another peer in the House of Lords, remembered Desai as a 'pillar of the community,' who dedicatedly contributed to several causes, including the Gandhi Memorial Statue at Parliament. Desai's academic career spanned from 1965-2003 at the London School of Economics, and he was honored with a Padma Bhushan for his services.

(With inputs from agencies.)