"He always remained connected to India and Indian culture."
Eminent economist and crossbench peer Lord Meghnad Desai has died at the age of 85.
It was reported that he passed away in a hospital in Gurugram following a health issue.
Born in Vadodara in 1940, Lord Desai completed a PhD in economics at the University of Pennsylvania in 1963.
He moved to London in 1965 and joined the London School of Economics as a lecturer. He rose to become a professor and later professor emeritus at the institution.
In 1991, Desai was appointed to the House of Lords as a Labour peer. He quit the party in 2020 over its handling of antisemitism and continued as a crossbencher.
Lord Desai authored several books on economics and public life.
His final work, The Poverty of Political Economy: How Economics Abandoned the Poor, was published in 2022.
He also wrote a biography of actor Dilip Kumar in 2004, titled Nehru’s Hero: Dilip Kumar in the Life of India.
As founder-trustee of the Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust, he played a key role in the fundraising efforts for a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
The statue was unveiled at Parliament Square in London by then-Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute on X: “Anguished by the passing away of Shri Meghnad Desai Ji, a distinguished thinker, writer and economist.
“He always remained connected to India and Indian culture. He also played a role in deepening India-UK ties.
“Will fondly recall our discussions, where he shared his valuable insights. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”
Lord Karan Bilimoria also remembered Lord Desai: “He was a dear friend and fellow crossbench colleague, among the first Indian heritage peers in the Lords.
“He had a great sense of humour and was his own man, always said what he felt, and his was always the most original speech in the House.
“He was truly iconic, much loved and respected. He will be missed a lot.”
The Indian High Commission in London called him a “teacher, scholar, thought leader and great advocate of the enduring friendship between India and the UK”.
Its statement added: “Lord Desai’s work will be cherished by generations of diplomats, scholars and thought leaders in both countries.
“His role in the installation of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Parliament Square in London ensures that his legacy will endure.”
Lord Meghnad Desai was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Indian government in 2008.
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