Fri Dec 27 06:12:15 UTC 2024: ## Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Passes Away at 92
**New Delhi, India** – Former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away Thursday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi at the age of 92. His death prompted an outpouring of grief from across India and the world.
Dr. Singh, who served two terms as Prime Minister, was widely recognized for his role in architecting India’s 1991 economic liberalization reforms. A scholar and soft-spoken leader, he was the first Sikh to hold the country’s highest office. While proud of his Sikh heritage, he consistently emphasized his Indian identity above all else. In a past interview with NDTV, he stated that his Sikh identity strengthened, rather than detracted from, his Indianness. He further clarified his beliefs, stating he was a believer in God but did not make his religion public, reflecting his strong belief in the separation of state and religion.
His passing was met with tributes from across the political spectrum, including from current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described Dr. Singh as an inspiration and recalled their interactions during his time as Chief Minister of Gujarat. Condolences also poured in from the Congress party, where Dr. Singh served as a stalwart leader, and from international figures including former US President Barack Obama and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who remembered him as a scholar and a gentleman.
Dr. Singh’s legacy extends beyond economic reform. He also addressed the sensitive topic of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, condemning the violence while carefully avoiding blanket accusations against any single political party. He acknowledged the involvement of individuals from various parties, emphasizing that it was not a party-wide issue.
Dr. Singh is survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and three children.
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