Inder Kumar Gujral, who served as India's prime minister for 11 months in 1997 and 1998, died Friday. He was 92. Gujral had been hospitalized since November 19 for a lung infection, the United Press International (UPI) reported. In 1997 and 1998, Gujral headed a coalition government. He was the first prime minister from Punjab and put forth the "Gujral Doctrine" for friendly relations with India's neighbors, including Pakistan. "As prime minister, he set an example of grace under pressure, of composure in difficult circumstances and of steadfastness to principles," the current Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said. Before he became prime minister, Gujral served as external affairs minister, where he restored India's relationship with Bangladesh. He also started negotiations on a trade agreement with Sri Lanka and rebooted India's relationship with Pakistan.
