United States Congressman Tom Lantos, who was instrumental in getting the Hyde Act pertaining to the civilian nuclear deal between India and the United States passed in 2006, passed away on Monday battling cancer. He was 80.

The Chair of the House of Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Lantos died of complications from cancer at Bethesda Naval Medical Center on Monday morning.

California representative Lantos was one of the key members of the Congress who were instrumental in getting the Henry J Hyde Act pertaining to the civilian nuclear initiative between India and the United States passed in 2006.

On the other hand, he was also sharply critical of India's relations with Iran and on several instances warned New Delhi of the consequences of pursuing a military relationship with the regime in Tehran.

Elected to office in 1980, Lantos was Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and one of the country's leading campaigners for human rights.

His commitment to the rights issue was forged when, as a young man, he lost nearly his entire family in the Holocaust.

After being diagnosed with esophageal cancer in December 2007, Lantos announced on January 2 that he would not seek reelection.

The Congressman was in his 14th term and his Democratic colleagues elected him chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in January 2007.

Lantos was also a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.