India on Sunday remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the eighth anniversary of his death, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior leaders paying homage to the veteran statesman at his memorial, Sadaiv Atal, in New Delhi.

Modi described Vajpayee as an exceptional leader whose ideas and public service continue to influence generations. In a tribute marking his punya tithi, the Prime Minister said Vajpayee devoted his life to the country and left behind a lasting legacy of leadership, good governance and public welfare.

Earlier in the day, Modi visited Sadaiv Atal and paid his respects to the former Prime Minister, whose contribution to India's progress he described as unmatched.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were among the leaders who also paid tribute to Vajpayee.

Vajpayee remains associated with several defining moments in India's modern political history, including the country's 1998 nuclear tests and the government's handling of the Kargil conflict. His tenure was also marked by an emphasis on infrastructure, economic development and inclusive governance.

A three-time Prime Minister, Vajpayee served as Prime Minister from 1998 to 2004. He was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 2015.

Beyond politics, Vajpayee was widely admired for his poetry and oratory. His political career and public life continue to be remembered for his emphasis on national self-reliance, democratic values and public service.

Vajpayee died on August 16, 2018, at the age of 93. Eight years later, leaders across the political spectrum continue to invoke his legacy while remembering one of India's most prominent statesmen.