Fri Dec 27 00:15:16 UTC 2024: ## India Mourns Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: Architect of Economic Reforms and Pivotal Foreign Policy Shifts

**New Delhi** – India is mourning the loss of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday. His death marks the end of an era, as he was instrumental in shaping modern India’s economic and foreign policy landscape. Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, highlighting his profound impact on the nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Singh as “one of India’s most distinguished leaders,” emphasizing the strong foundation Singh, along with his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee, laid for India’s current foreign policy. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also paid tribute, recognizing Singh not only as the architect of India’s economic reforms of 1991 but also as a key figure in strategically recalibrating the nation’s foreign policy.

Singh’s legacy extends beyond economics. His tenure (2004-2014) saw the successful negotiation of the landmark India-US civil nuclear agreement, a watershed moment in India’s history. This achievement, often credited to Singh and then-Joint Secretary (Americas) S. Jaishankar, secured India’s access to civil nuclear cooperation with numerous nations, including the US, France, Russia, and Japan. This deal, secured despite significant political hurdles, demonstrates Singh’s strategic acumen and unwavering commitment to India’s nuclear ambitions.

Building upon the “greater engagement” policy initiated by Vajpayee, Singh fostered stronger ties with major global powers, including the US, Russia, China, and Pakistan. While engagement with Pakistan ultimately faltered due to persistent cross-border terrorism, his government made significant strides in maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

Singh’s government also strengthened relationships with Japan, elevating ties to a strategic partnership, and expanded India’s engagement with African and Latin American nations – the foundation upon which Prime Minister Modi’s “Act East” policy and emphasis on the Global South are built. His contributions laid the groundwork for India’s rise as a significant global player. The passing of Manmohan Singh leaves a void in Indian leadership, but his enduring legacy as a transformative figure continues to shape the nation’s trajectory.

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