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National Security Advisor J. N. Dixit dead

New Delhi, January 3
National Security Advisor and Former Foreign Secretary J. N. Dixit died here today after a massive heart attack. Dixit, 68, who had served in all the South Asian countries except Maldives, was brought dead to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences around 6.30 am after he had suffered a massive heart attack at home, according to sources. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Jyotindra Nath Dixit was appointed National Security Advisor in May last year, succeeding Brajesh Mishra. He enjoyed the rank of Minister of State.

He was the High Commissioner in Colombo in 1987 when India signed an accord with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealem (LTTE) and sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to the Tamil area in the island nation at the height of ethnic crisis. Nicknamed "viceroy" during his tenure in Colombo, he had a tremendous influence with the government there during late Junius Richard Jayawardene and later Premadasa's time.

Dixit was India's first High Commissioner to Bangladesh soon after its creation in 1971. He was also a prolific author and columnist on international and regional affairs. — PTI