Manmohan Singh, India's former prime minister, dies aged 92

Fri Dec 27 08:01:53 UTC 2024: ## India Mourns Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

**New Delhi, India –** Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a renowned economist credited with transforming India’s economy, passed away Thursday at the age of 92. Singh, who served two full terms from 2004 to 2014, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi following a sudden loss of consciousness at home.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes, calling Singh one of India’s most distinguished leaders and praising his efforts to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also offered condolences, describing Singh as “one of the greatest champions of the US-India strategic partnership.”

An Oxford-educated economist, Singh is widely regarded as the architect of sweeping economic reforms in the 1990s and 2000s. These reforms, implemented during his time as finance minister and later as prime minister, opened India’s economy to foreign investment, spurred significant growth, and lifted millions out of poverty. He also oversaw a strengthening of relations with the United States, culminating in a landmark nuclear energy deal in 2008.

Born into poverty in a village in what is now Pakistan, Singh’s life was a testament to hard work and determination. Despite a relatively low-key public persona, he held significant influence, steering India through a period of considerable economic and geopolitical change. While his second term was marred by corruption scandals involving some of his ministers, Singh himself remained untarnished. He was often described as a reluctant leader, taking the premiership after Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi declined the role.

Singh’s legacy remains complex, with his admirers pointing to his economic achievements and his critics focusing on the controversies surrounding his administration. However, his death marks the end of an era for India, leaving behind a considerable impact on the nation’s trajectory. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.