India's vice-president dies

Kant was admitted to hospital in Delhi on Saturday morning after complaining of chest pains, but he died about an hour later.

Kant's five-year term as vice-president of India, a largely ceremonial post which presides over the upper house of parliament, had been due to end in August.

The federal cabinet is holding an emergency meeting and is expected to declare a day of national mourning, the AP news agency reported.

'Gandhian'

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee paid tribute to Kant for his commitment to his country.

"He fought for democracy; he was a Gandhian," Mr Vajpayee said.

"With his death, an era is coming to an end... he will always be remembered."

The Indian Government has ordered all flags to be flown at half mast.

Kant's death came as a shock because he had not been unwell and had no history of major medical problems, his office said.

His successor is expected to be Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, a senior official in Mr Vajpayee's Bharatiya Janata Party who has been nominated for the vice-president position before.

Long career

Born in the northern Punjab state in February 1927, Kant studied science at the Benaras Hindu University and worked as a scientist before entering the upper house of parliament in 1966.

Kant had fought for independence from Britain, and his official biography states that he served time in prison during British colonial rule for his part in the struggle.

He later became governor of the southern Andhra Pradesh state before becoming vice-president and strongly supported India's nuclear weapons programme.

At one point he was mooted as a possible successor to outgoing President Narayanan, but most political parties supported retired missile scientist APJ Abdul Kalam, who was sworn in earlier this week.

Kant was also one of the founders of the People's Union of Civil Liberties, an influential human rights group in India, and wrote for several newspapers.

He is survived by his wife, Suman, a prominent women's rights campaigner, one daughter and two sons.