Friday, December 24 2004 09:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: US yesterday (Dec 23, 2004) condoled the death of former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, saying India had lost an important figure who initiated major economic reforms in the country and was instrumental in ushering in a new era of Indo-US relations.

"We learnt with sadness of the death of Narasimha Rao, Prime Minister of India from 1991-96. Rao was an important figure in the history of modern India, inaugurating major economic reforms that have stimulated growth and prosperity throughout the country.

"He was also instrumental in efforts to inaugurate a new era of closer relations between the United States and India following the end of the Cold War. Today, India and the United States continue to build on his legacy. We extend our sincere condolences to Rao's family, and to the people of India," Deputy Spokesman of the State Department J Adam Ereli said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the US media, reacting to the death of Rao, noted that he was the man who took India into the modern economic era by liberalising the economy.

Gary Ackerman, co-chairman of the India Caucus in Congress, joined in the tributes.

"I was deeply saddened to learn today of the passing of His Excellency, P V Narasimha Rao, the former Prime Minister of India. He was man of courage and wisdom, and his tenure as Prime Minister unquestionably opened the path for India's growing prosperity today," he said in a message to Ambassador Ronen Sen.

He also conveyed his condolences to President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.