Meghnad Desai, Noted Economist and House of Lords Peer, Passes Away
New Delhi: Meghnad Desai, famed British-Indian economist and a peer at the House of Lords in England, died on July 29. He was 85.
PTI has reported, on the basis of what a family source said, that Desai is believed to have passed away in a hospital in Gurugram following a health issue.
The news agency has quoted his wife, Kishwar Desai, as having said: “I am devastated, as he was my rockstar husband, larger than life. Indestructible. I adored him.”
Desai was born in Vadodara. He secured a bachelor's degree in economics from Ramnarain Ruia College, a master's degree in economics from the University of Mumbai, and his PhD in economics at the University of Pennsylvania in 1963.
Desai was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in 2008.
Active in the British Labour party, which he headed through chairmanships in 1986 and 1992, Desai quit it 2020, citing Zionism concerns, after Jeremy Corbyn was readmitted as member.
Desai was elevated to the House of Lords in June 1991.
Tributes have poured in on social media.
Saddened by the passing of Lord Meghnad Desai, a towering intellectual, a bold economist, and a deeply rooted Indian spirit on the global stage.
He challenged orthodoxies with intellectual courage and effortless charm, always questioning, always pushing boundaries. His legacy… pic.twitter.com/aVLCn6tccW
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) July 29, 2025
Deeply saddened by the demise of economist, thinker, the first Indian Peer in the Labour Party and member of the UK's House of Lords, Lord Meghnad Desai Ji.
I first met Lord Desai in 1999 when I was posted as India’s Deputy High Commissioner at @HCI_London and he led LSE's Centre… pic.twitter.com/SP8RuBETM6— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) July 29, 2025
Lord Meghnad Desai passed last evening, aged 85. He was sighted this year at Irish ambassador Kevin Kelly’s New Delhi residence, where he talked of his passion for James Joyce. He sang a beloved film number, after a glass of beer… singing and beer drinking—just so Joyce! pic.twitter.com/vPJ7b9YQ8j
— mayank austen soofi—InshaJoyce (@thedelhiwalla) July 30, 2025
Sad news: Lord Meghnad Desai, eminent economist, House of Lords member and whose large heart and eclectic mind was always rooted in India, has passed away. RIP. Will miss the smile, the spirit, and yes, the unique persona. Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/KXIjKVDcKI
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) July 29, 2025
This article went live on July thirtieth, two thousand twenty five, at forty-nine minutes past ten in the morning.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… pic.twitter.com/q1cv3DAXaw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 29, 2025
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