With the country’s economy on the cusp of historic change, the figure who did the most to lead Indian business onto the global stage is gone.

"He provided stable leadership to one of India's oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond boardrooms," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Oct 9 (Reuters) - Ratan Tata, the former Tata Group chairman who put a staid and sprawling Indian conglomerate on the global stage with a string of high-profile acquisitions, has died, the Tata Group said in a statement late on Wednesday. He was 86.

The funeral has taken place in Mumbai of Ratan Tata, the former chairman of one of India’s biggest conglomerates, Tata Group, who died on Wednesday aged 86. Business leaders, politicians and celebrities were among thousands of people who paid their last respects at the centre where his body lay in state before being cremated.

Ratan Tata, uno de los líderes de negocios más influyentes de India, fue cremado el jueves, después de un funeral de Estado en la capital financiera del país.

Ratan Tata, the esteemed former chairman of the Tata Group and a prominent figure in Indian business, passed away at the age of 86 on Wednesday, October 9.

Hundreds mourn Indian businesstycoon Ratan Tata in Mumbai:::: Aamir Khan, Actor"It is an extremely sad day for all of us, for the entire country. Ratan Sir's contribution and leadership…his company, Tata's contribution to the

German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann mourned the loss of industrialist Ratan Tata, calling him an icon of India. Ackermann praised Tata as a philanthropist and entrepreneur during the launch of the Federation of European Businesses in India,

After the demise of legendary industrialist Ratan Tata, Noel Tata, the half-brother of Ratan Tata, has been appointed as the chairman of the Tata Trusts. He is the 11th chairman of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the sixth at Sir Ratan Tata Trust.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed industrialist Ratan Tata as a champion for the friendship between India and Israel.