Former Union minister Khurshed Alam Khan passes away at 95

NEW DELHI: Former Union Minister Khurshed Alam Khan, father of External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, passed away due to a heart ailment early in the morning today at a city hospital. He was 95.

Condoling his death, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that India had lost a true son and servant of the nation.

Sources close to Khurshid said that Khan was admitted in Escorts Heart Hospital five-six days back after he complained of chest pain.

Dr TS Kler, the executive director of the cardiac sciences department at the hospital, said that Khan was admitted with fever and chest infection.

"But he already had a major problem of Aortic Stenosis (AS), which is a disease of the heart valves. He (breathed his last) at around 3 A.M. today," Kler said.

The Prime Minister said Khan had served the nation with distinction throughout his life and in many capacities. His death was an "irreparable loss".

"His leadership in India's foreign policy, education system and legislative affairs contributed immensely to the country's modern, liberal and democratic polity.

"His commitment to the nation was deeply rooted in the abiding values of our Constitution and the idea of an India envisioned by our founding fathers," the Prime Minister added.

Khan was governor of Karnataka from 1991 to 1999 and before that, governor of Goa from 1989 to 1991.

Prior to that, he served as the Union minister of External Affairs.