Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a renowned economist and key figure in India’s economic reforms, has passed away at the age of 92. His legacy is complex and multifaceted, marked by both significant economic liberalization and criticism for his leadership style.
Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Passes Away at 92
Dr. Manmohan Singh, the first Sikh to hold the office of India’s prime minister, has died in New Delhi at the age of 92.
A renowned economist and key figure in India’s economic reforms, Dr. Singh served as prime minister from 2004 to 2014. His policies during his tenure set India on the path of economic liberalization and globalization.
The Father of Economic Reforms
Dr. Singh was born in a village called Gah in what is now Pakistan, which was then part of British India. He migrated east with his family when India gained independence from Britain in 1947. As an Oxford-educated economist, Dr. Singh played a crucial role in shaping India’s economic policies.
In 1991, he drafted one of the most radical budgets in Indian history, opening up the country to foreign direct investment and cutting import duties. This move marked a significant shift away from India’s socialist economy and towards a more liberalized market-driven economy.
A Weak Leader or a Wise Statesman?
While Dr. Singh was praised for his economic reforms, he was also criticized for being a weak leader who lacked oratory skills. However, former U.S. President Barack Obama described him as “wise, thoughtful, and scrupulously honest” in his memoir A Promised Land.
Dr. Singh’s tenure as prime minister was marked by several international and domestic crises, including the 2008 global economic downturn and a deadly terrorist attack in Mumbai by Pakistani militants. Despite these challenges, he steered India through them with ease.
Foreign Policy Successes
Dr. Singh was particularly successful in his foreign policy endeavors. He established good relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia, and negotiated a nuclear deal with the U.S., lifting a decades-long moratorium on nuclear trade.
Under his leadership, India drew closer to the U.S. on multiple fronts, including economic cooperation and defense ties. His social welfare programs, such as the employment guarantee scheme for rural areas, also contributed significantly to improving the lives of Indians.
Legacy
Dr. Singh’s legacy is complex and multifaceted. While he was criticized for his leadership style and handling of corruption scandals, he remains one of India’s most respected prime ministers.
As Dr. Singh himself said in his farewell speech in 2014, “Serving this nation has been my privilege. There is nothing more that I could ask for.” His passing marks the end of an era in Indian politics, but his contributions to the country’s economic and foreign policy will be remembered for generations to come.
Dr. Singh is survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, a historian, and their three daughters. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the people of India.
