Former Indian Ambassador to the US Naresh Chandra died at a hospital in Goa today. He was 82.

He passed away around 10 PM due to multiple organ failure at Manipal Hospitals in Goa, a hospital official said.

His office confirmed that Chandra was admitted to the hospital on Friday.

Chandra had served as the Cabinet Secretary from 1990 to92 and was the Indian Ambassador to the US from 1996 to 2001.

He was awarded India’s second highest civil awards, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2007.