NEW DELHI: World leaders and dignitaries from around the globe expressed their deep sorrow after the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday, a pivotal figure in modern India’s economic transformation and a respected statesman on the international stage.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid tribute to Singh, calling him a “champion of the US-India strategic partnership.” Highlighting Singh’s pivotal role in advancing the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, Blinken stated, “Dr Singh’s leadership laid the foundation for much of what our countries have accomplished together in the past two decades.”
He further pointed out former PM Singh’s domestic contributions, adding, “At home, Dr Singh will be remembered for his economic reforms that spurred India’s rapid economic growth. We mourn Dr Singh’s passing and will always remember his dedication to bringing the United States and India closer together.”
Former Maldivian President Abdulla Shahid shared his condolences, recalling Singh’s 2011 visit to the Maldives, where he became the first head of state to address the Maldivian Parliament. “Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of former Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh,” Shahid wrote in a post on X.
“I fondly recall his visit to the Maldives in 2011, where I, as then Speaker of Parliament, invited him to address a sitting of the Majlis – the first Head of State/Government to do so. I also recall our interactions during my first tenure as foreign minister in 2007. I greatly benefited from his wisdom and knowledge. He was always a friend of the Maldives. May he rest in peace, and may his family and loved ones be comforted by the lasting legacy he leaves. My deepest condolences to the people and Government of India on this loss,” former Maldivian President added.
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai described Dr Singh as “one of India’s most illustrious sons” and an “unwavering ally and friend to the people of Afghanistan.” In a post on X, Karzai expressed his profound grief and extended his heartfelt condolences to India, noting the enduring impact of Singh’s friendship and leadership.
Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov also mourned the loss, describing, Singh’s passing as a moment of “poignant sorrow and grief for India and for Russia.” Alipov praised Singh’s role in strengthening bilateral ties, stating, “Dr Manmohan Singh’s contribution to our bilateral ties was immeasurable. His suave demeanor was always endearing as unquestionable was his expertise as an economist and his commitment to the progress of India.”
Former PM Singh passed away on the night of December 26 at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at the age of 92, leaving behind a monumental legacy that helped shape modern India.
As finance minister in the 1990s, Singh’s landmark economic reforms dismantled the restrictive licence raj, rescuing India from the brink of economic collapse and setting the nation on a path of liberalisation and growth.
His two-term tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 saw the introduction of transformative policies, including the Right to Information (RTI), the Right to Education (RTE), and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), which significantly impacted millions of lives.
Singh also served as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor from 1982 to 1985, a period that further demonstrated his economic acumen.
His political journey, spanning over three decades, was exclusively in the Rajya Sabha. First elected in 1991, he served as leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before becoming the Prime Minister, leading India through a transformative period in its history.