Gurugram / London, July 30, 2025
India-born British economist and one of the world’s most distinguished intellectuals and public figures on Lord Meghnad Desai has passed away. The India-born British economist, academic, and member of the UK’s House of Lords, passed away at the age of 85 in Gurugram after a brief illness.
Born in Gujarat, Desai’s journey from a young scholar in Bombay to one of Britain’s most respected economists and parliamentarians was nothing short of extraordinary. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Bombay before going on to complete a PhD in economics from the University of Pennsylvania—a feat he achieved in just three years.
His intellectual home, however, became the London School of Economics, where he taught from 1965 to 2003. Over the course of nearly four decades, he not only mentored generations of students but also founded the Centre for the Study of Global Governance in 1992 and helped shape LSE’s Development Studies Institute. His work bridged the worlds of economics, policy, and social justice at a time when globalisation was rewriting economic narratives.
In 1991, Desai was appointed to the House of Lords as Lord Desai of St Clement Danes, initially representing the Labour Party. He was known for his unflinching honesty and intellectual independence, and in 2020, he resigned from the party over its handling of antisemitism, choosing to serve as a crossbench peer. Through it all, he remained a respected figure across the political spectrum.
As news of his passing spread, tributes poured in from across the world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him a “distinguished thinker, writer, and economist” who “remained deeply connected to India and helped strengthen India-UK ties.”
Lord Karan Bilimoria described him as “truly iconic,” while the High Commission of India in London hailed him as a “thought leader and friend of India.”
His wife, writer and columnist Lady Kishwar Desai, said in a deeply emotional statement,
“I am devastated, as he was my rockstar husband, larger than life. Indestructible. I adored him.”
Lord Desai’s contributions extended far beyond economics and politics. He was a prolific author whose writings explored topics as diverse as Bollywood, Marxism, and globalisation. One of his most celebrated works, Nehru’s Hero: Dilip Kumar, painted a compelling portrait of Indian cinema’s golden age through the lens of culture and politics.
He also played a leading role in cultural diplomacy, most notably by helping install the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in London’s Parliament Square—a lasting symbol of India-UK friendship.
Throughout his life, Desai was never afraid to challenge the status quo. His legacy is that of a fearless scholar, a bridge between continents, and a man whose intellect was matched only by his curiosity for the world around him.
He is survived by his wife Lady Kishwar Desai and a body of work that will continue to inspire thinkers, students, and leaders across the globe.
