Dhaka condoles death
Prime News Desk
Former Indian prime minister Inder Kumar Gujral has passed away after a long illness in a hospital near the capital, Delhi, aged 92.
Gujral was admitted to the hospital in Gurgaon on 19 November and was suffering from a lung infection, reports BBC Online, BSS.
He became India's 12th prime minister, heading a United Front coalition government in 1997.
During his 11-month tenure, he worked at improving India's frosty relationship with archrival Pakistan.
Gujral was also known for his strategic vision of India's role in its neighbourhood.
Known as "Gujral doctrine", the vision held that India should go the extra mile with its neighbours without expecting reciprocity, as long as they did not endanger India's security, analysts say.
Gujral was often called an "accidental prime minister" because he assumed power after the Congress party withdrew support to the United Front coalition government led by prime minister HD Deve Gowda.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday expressed deep shock at the death of former Indian Prime Minister IK Gujral.
In a condolence message, Sheikh Hasina recalled Gujral'a contribution to strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.
"Gujral was a true friend of Bangladesh as he played an important role in signing of the Ganges treaty between Dhaka and New Delhi," she said.
The Prime Minister prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral passed away at 3:31 pm on Friday following a prolong illness at the age of 92.
"IK Gujral passed away at 3:31 pm at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon," Indian Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told the Parliament.
Born on December 4, 1919, Gujral served as the 12th prime minister from April 1997 to March 1998.
He was the second PM to govern exclusively from the Rajya Sabha, first being his immediate predecessor HD Deve Gowda.
Ends/AMA/30/11/12
