Delhi (CNN) Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India's tenth prime minister, died Thursday in New Delhi at the age of 93.

He will be remembered as the leader who brought India into the world's nuclear weapons club, but it was his love for poetry and sense of humor that endeared him to national leaders across party lines. His attempts to bring peace between two warring countries, though unsuccessful, ensured a begrudging respect from Pakistan and admiration from Indians.

A statement released by the hospital treating him said "his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. Despite the best of efforts, we have lost him today."

"India grieves the demise of our beloved Atal Ji. His passing away marks the end of an era. He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades. My thoughts are with his family, BJP Karyakartas and millions of admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti," tweeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Vajpayee was prime minister briefly in 1996 and 1998 before eventually serving a full term as premier from 1999 to 2004. He had been admitted in June to the All India institute of Medical Sciences in the capital, suffering from a urinary tract infection and chest congestion. His condition worsened, eventually becoming fatal.

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