Prime Minister Narendra Modi's close friendship with former Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata began two decades ago over a controversial issue: Tata's plan to start a manufacturing plant in West Bengal's Singur.

Ratan Tata, who spearheaded the Tata Group for several decades, passed away at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital on Wednesday night. He was 86.

Indian mogul dead at 86 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads tributes - Mr Tata was ‘a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being’, said Modi

Modi had sent the SMS to Tata when the industrialist was addressing a press conference in Kolkata announcing the exit of the Tata Nano project from West Bengal after violent protests led by Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee.

In a storied life, Ratan Tata had a few brushes with popular culture, and was famously portrayed by Boman Irani in the 2019 film ‘PM Narendra Modi’

Prime Minister Modi praised Shri Ratan Tata as a visionary leader whose humility, kindness, and dedication to societal improvement left an enduring impact beyond the boardroom.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to Tata’s monumental legacy, hailing his leadership and compassion. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group expressed his profound grief, acknowledging Tata’s immense contributions to India’s economic growth.

Before departing on a two-day visit to Laos for the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Noel Tata, brother of the late Ratan Tata, offering his condolences.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other leaders and dignitaries, expressed deep sorrow over the death of Ratan Tata, the veteran industrialist and chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, who passed away at the age of 86 in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital.

Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus of the Tata Group, one of India’s largest business conglomerates, has passed away at the age of 86 after a long ill

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled , calling him a visionary business leader and a compassionate soul. "Shri Ratan Tata Ji was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being.