Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Tata as "a visionary business leader", saying he's "extremely pained" by the death. Tata ran the conglomerate for over20 years as chairman.

Hundreds of people, including corporate leaders, politicians and celebrities, gathered in Mumbai on Thursday to pay their last respects to one of India's most respected business tycoons, Ratan Tata, who died aged 86.

NEW DELHI -- Ratan Tata, a former chairman of India’s oldest conglomerate Tata Sons, died at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday night. He was 86. Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran confirmed Tata’s death and described him as his “friend, mentor, and guide” in a statement.