Vice President of India Dies

NEW DELHI —  Vice President Krishnan Kant, who occupied India’s second-highest ceremonial position, died Saturday of a heart attack, doctors said. He was 75.

Kant, whose tenure began in 1997 and was to end next month, had been admitted to a New Delhi hospital complaining of severe chest pain.

India’s vice president is the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, but has few other powers.

Kant was born Feb. 28, 1927, in Punjab state. He was imprisoned during colonial British rule for taking part in movements opposing the government, according to his official biography.

Throughout his political career, he was a strong proponent of India’s efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. Kant was also one of the founders of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, a human rights group.