India’s Former PM Manmohan Singh Passes Away at 92

Manmohan Singh, India’s former Prime Minister and a key figure in the nation’s political history, has passed away at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy of economic reforms.

Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India known for implementing economic reforms that transformed his country into a global powerhouse, has passed away at the age of 92.

Singh, who served from 2004 to 2014, was praised for leading an economic boom in Asia’s fourth-largest economy during his first term. However, his second term was overshadowed by slowing growth.

India “mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders,” posted current Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media platform X on Thursday, shortly after news emerged about Singh’s passing.

As Prime Minister, he worked diligently to enhance the quality of life for people.

According to a statement from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Singh was transported to a hospital in New Delhi after losing consciousness at his home on Thursday. Despite efforts, he could not be resuscitated and was subsequently pronounced dead.

“I have lost a mentor and guide,” stated Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition Congress. He added that Singh “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.”

“Millions who held him in high esteem will honor his memory with the greatest pride,” remarked Gandhi, a member of India’s influential Nehru-Gandhi family and the leading opposition figure to Modi.

Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the opposition in parliament’s upper house, stated that India has lost a visionary statesman—a leader with impeccable integrity and an economist of unmatched stature.

President Droupadi Murmu posted on X, stating that Singh will “forever be remembered for his dedication to the country, his impeccable political career, and exceptional humility.”

— ‘Mr. Clean’ —

Born in 1932 in the mud-house village of Gah, now part of Pakistan, Singh pursued studies in economics to discover methods for eradicating poverty in India. Before assuming the country’s highest position, he had never held an elected office.

He received scholarships to study at both Cambridge, where he earned a first in economics, and Oxford, where he achieved his PhD.

Singh held a series of senior civil service positions, served as governor of the central bank, and worked in various roles with international organizations such as the United Nations.

In 1991, then-Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao selected him to help steer India out of the most severe financial crisis in its modern history.

During his first term, Singh guided the economy to a remarkable nine-percent growth rate, granting India the international influence it had long desired.

He also finalized a significant nuclear agreement with the United States, which he stated would assist India in addressing its increasing energy demands.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to Singh as “one of the foremost advocates for the US-India strategic partnership.”

According to Blinken, “His role in promoting the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement represented a significant commitment to enhancing the potential of relations between the United States and India.”

Referred to as “Mr. Clean,” Singh’s reputation was marred during his decade-long tenure due to the emergence of several corruption cases.

A few months prior to the 2014 elections, Singh announced his intention to retire following the polls. He indicated that if Congress emerged victorious, Sonia Gandhi’s son Rahul was designated as his successor.

However, Congress experienced its worst-ever outcome at that time as the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Modi, secured a landslide victory.

Singh, who expressed confidence that historians would view him more favorably than his current critics do, has become an outspoken critic of Modi’s economic policies. Recently, he also highlighted the dangers that increasing communal tensions pose to India’s democracy.