Ex-Indian PM dies

Former Indian Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, who set in motion the nation’s economic liberalisation more than a decade ago, died today. He was 83.

Rao, an astute and dour-faced politician, was prime minister from 1991 to 1996, taking office at a time when India’s state-controlled economy was in deep turmoil with the state treasury facing near bankruptcy.

He was admitted to a New Delhi hospital earlier this month complaining of breathlessness. He died there, said parliament Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

Rao was hailed for taking the courageous decision to throw open the country to foreign investment despite opposition from allies and others.