Senior journalist and author Kuldeep Nayar died at a hospital in New Delhi. He was 95, his family confirmed on Thursday.

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Nayar breathed his last at the Escorts Hospital at 12.30 a.m., and his cremation will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the death by saying his "strong stand" against the Emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always remembered.

"Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times. Frank and fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades," Modi tweeted.

Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times. Frank and fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades. His strong stand against the Emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always be remembered. Saddened by his demise. My condolences.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2018

Nayar started his career with a Urdu newspaper and was the author of 15 books including "Beyond the Lines", "India after Nehru" and "Emergency Retold".

Nayar, a human rights activist, served as High Commissioner to the UK in 1990 and was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha.