NEW DELHI, May 18 (Xinhua) -- India's environment minister Anil Dave Thursday died at the age of 60, government spokesman said.

The minister on Thursday morning complained of chest pain and was rushed to a hospital in New Delhi, the capital city of India.

"Dave complained of uneasiness at his home this morning and was rushed to AIIMS where he passed away," officials said..

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Dave's death was his "personal loss."

"I was with Anil Madhav Dave ji till late last evening, discussing key policy issues," Modi said. "This demise is a personal loss."

Dave was a member of the upper house of Indian parliament (lawmaking body) locally called Rajya Sabha since 2009.

The Indian government Thursday announced that as a mark of respect to Dave, national flag will fly half-mast in Delhi and all state capitals on all the buildings, where it is flown regularly.