(rephrasing para one, fixing typo)

New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) Mr Pratap Kishen Kaul, a former Cabinet Secretary who also served as the Indian Ambassador in the US in the 1980s, died here yesterday after prolonged illness.

He was 77.

Kaul, who also was a former Defence Secretary, Finance Secretary and Commerce Secretary, was admitted to hospital about a month and a half ago. He was later shifted to the ICU.

He died yesterday of multiple organ failure, his family said. The cremation will take place tomorrow.

Kaul had masters degree in Public Administration from the Harvard University and later joined the Indian Administrative Service.

He held important positions in the Uttar Pradesh government and later at the centre.

He was Ambassador to the US from 1983-1989.

UNI