India: Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, one of India’s most revered leaders and architects of modern economic reforms, has died at the age of 92. Singh, who served as India’s prime minister from 2004 to 2014 and formerly as finance minister, passed away in Delhi after his health deteriorated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Singh, calling him “one of India’s most distinguished leaders” and praising his “wisdom and humility.” Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi also mourned the loss, with Rahul directing Singh as a “mentor and guide.”
Born on September 26, 1932, in the Punjab region of undivided India, Singh rose from humble beginnings to become a global statesman. As finance minister in 1991, he began groundbreaking economic reforms to rescue India from bankruptcy. His policies of liberalisation, privatisation, and foreign investment sparked economic revival, earning him a reputation as the architect of India’s economic transformation.
Singh’s tenure as prime minister saw several crossroads, including securing the landmark India-US nuclear deal. However, his second term was overshadowed by corruption scandals and economic challenges, leading to Congress’ electoral failure in 2014.
A soft-spoken and self-effacing leader, Singh was known for his academic brilliance. He earned degrees from Panjab University, Cambridge, and Oxford. Despite his reserved demeanour, his integrity and intellect were widely admired. Critics often called him the “accidental prime minister,” as he lacked a political base and relied heavily on Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Singh stayed a consensus builder, navigating coalitions and maintaining India’s global stature. His foreign policy initiatives included peace talks with Pakistan, settling border disputes with China, and strengthening ties with Afghanistan.
While Singh’s first term was praised for economic growth and nuclear diplomacy, his second term was marred by corruption allegations, including the coal allocation and telecom scams. Despite these challenges, Singh defended his record, arguing that his government worked “with utmost commitment and dedication.”
In his later years, Singh contributed as a senior Congress leader and economic commentator, advocating for policies to address India’s challenges, including the COVID-19 crisis. Manmohan Singh is survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and three daughters. As the nation mourns his passing, his legacy as a reformer and a gentleman statesman will stay etched in history.
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