Former Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley has died at the age of 66.
He was one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s closest associates.
Officials said Jaitley died on Saturday almost two weeks after he was admitted to hospital because of breathing issues.
He was a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and stepped down earlier this year because of poor health.
Modi, who is currently in the UAE on a two-day state visit, paid tribute to Jaitley on Twitter, calling him a "political giant, towering intellectual and legal luminary who made a lasting contribution to India."
                                
                                        
            Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman to visit Trump in White House
        
            Man charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after knife attack on UK train
        
            Tanzania's Hassan sworn into office after deadly election violence
        
            Powerful 6.3 quake kills at least 20 in Afghanistan, hundreds injured
        
                
                
                