As the nation mourns Dr Manmohan Singh, Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh has recounted how the former Prime Minister restored his father and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s security cover after a Maoist attack in 2004.

“The year 2004 was a particularly difficult time for us. Our leader Mr. Chandrababu Naidu had recently recovered from an attempt on his life after a dangerous bomb blast by Naxals near Tirupati and the @jaiTDP party had just lost the 2004 elections,” Mr Lokesh said in a post on X.

The Congress, led by YS Rajasekhara Reddy, had swept the 2004 Andhra polls, removing the TDP from power. “At this crucial time, the new state government had moved to reduce security cover to Mr. @ncbn garu. This would’ve prevented him from being with the people and representing their issues,” Mr Lokesh said.

As India mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, I am reminded of his large-heartedness and graciousness towards our family.

The year 2004 was a particularly difficult time for us. Our leader Mr. Chandrababu Naidu had recently recovered from an attempt on… pic.twitter.com/1v44f8buNl

— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) December 28, 2024

“At this time, Mr. @ncbn garu met the then-prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and personally requested him to restore security cover citing the recent attacks on his life and the heightened threat perception as was ascertained by security agencies,” he added.

Dr Singh told N Chandrababu Naidu that he was important to the nation and provided him NSG security cover despite resistance from the Congress government in the state, Mr Lokesh said.

“Regardless of the fact that we were from an opposition party, Dr. Manmohan Singh immediately said that Mr. @ncbn garu is important to the nation, and against the wishes of the then state government, gave instructions to restore full security (led by NSG commandos) to Mr. @ncbn garu. In fact, he specifically told Mr. @ncbn garu that by the time you go back to Hyderabad, NSG security cover will be ready for you,” he said.

“Dr. Manmohan Singh was a rare statesman, and as a family we owe him personally for his large heart. Fare well sir. You will be missed,” Mr Lokesh said.

Earlier, N Chandrababu Naidu said he was “deeply saddened” by Dr Singh’s death. “An intellectual statesman, Dr Singh embodied humility, wisdom, and integrity. From his economic reforms in 1991 as Finance Minister to his leadership as Prime Minister, he served the nation tirelessly and uplifted millions. His passing is a great loss to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and admirers,” he said.

Mr Naidu also paid tribute to the former Prime Minister at his Delhi home and met his family. “His remarkable legacy and service to the nation will always be remembered and continue to inspire generations,” he said.

The 92-year-old former Prime Minister died at AIIMS on Thursday night. Earlier that day, he was hospitalised after he lost consciousness at home. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS at 8.06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 PM,” the hospital said in a statement.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden has paid tributes to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and called him a “true statesman” and a “dedicated public servant”. Dr Singh, who held office from 2004 to 2014 and was known as one of the architects of economic reforms in 1991 that pulled India from the brink of bankruptcy, died Thursday at 92.

“The unprecedented level of cooperation between the United States and India today would not have been possible without the Prime Minister’s strategic vision and political courage,” Mr Biden said in a statement on Friday.

From forging the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement to helping launch the first Quad between Indo-Pacific partners, Manmohan Singh charted “pathbreaking progress that will continue to strengthen our nations — and the world —for generations to come,” Mr Biden said.

Under the leadership of Dr Singh and then US President George W Bush, India and the US announced in 2005 that they would cooperate in civil nuclear energy.

Following a series of negotiations, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is a United Nations agency that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy and technology, approved the safeguards agreement with India in August 2008, following which the US approached the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to grant a waiver to New Delhi to commence civilian nuclear trade.

The NSG then granted the waiver to India on September 6, 2008, allowing it to access civilian nuclear technology and fuel from other countries.

Mr Biden also recalled meeting Dr Singh as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2008 and as the US Vice President during his official state visit to the US in 2009.

“He also graciously hosted me in New Delhi in 2013. As we discussed then, the US-India relationship is among the most consequential in the world. And together, as partners and friends, our nations can unlock a future of dignity and unlimited potential for all of our people,” Mr Biden said.

“During this difficult time, we recommit to this vision to which Prime Minister Singh dedicated his life. And Jill (US First Lady) and I send our deepest condolences to former First Lady Gursharan Kaur, their three children, and all the people of India,” he added.

Manmohan Singh’s last rites will be held with full state honours today at the Nigambodh Ghat, a public cremation ground in Delhi.

Several politicians, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are expected to attend the funeral.

New Delhi:

Weeks before leaving office as Prime Minister in 2014, Dr Manmohan Singh made a statement that would be repeated even after his death. “I honestly believe history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament,” he said, responding to NDTV’s Sunil Prabhu who asked Dr Singh about his perceived inability to rein in ministers and act decisively in certain situations.

This response, dismissed by some at the time as self-assurance amid mounting criticism, has gained resonance following his death last night at the age of 92

READ | How Manmohan Singh Became “Accidental PM” After Shock UPA Victory In 2004

Dr Singh died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. As condolences pour in from across party lines, his legacy as a silent architect of India’s economic reforms is being revisited.

“I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament,” Dr Manmohan Singh said in 2014. Just ten years later, he is already being proven right,” wrote Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. 

READ | “People Say I Was…”: When Manmohan Singh Defended “Silent PM” Charge

Similarly, BRS leader KT Rama Rao described Dr Singh as a “silent architect of modern India”.

“A silent architect of modern India, a visionary, a true intellectual, and a gracious human being! History will indeed be kinder and grateful to you. My heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh ji. His legacy will continue to inspire many generations to come,” Mr Rao said. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, reflecting on Dr Singh’s impact on the liberalisation of India’s economy, said, “For someone like me, born in the 90s, the opening up of India to the world and vice versa was like growing up in a decade where each day was new. 

He credited Dr Singh with putting India on the global stage and recalled his dignified response to criticism during his tenure.

READ | “Epitome Of Simplicity”: PM Modi’s Video Tribute To Manmohan Singh

“He truly put our nation on a world stage. As he said about himself while taking on all the unfounded criticism, ‘history would be kinder’, we as Indians truly believe, that the present too will be kinder to his statesman-like legacy, as we all bid him a sorrowful goodbye,” Mr Thackeray said. 

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge paid homage to Dr Singh’s enduring legacy, echoing his 2014 statement. “Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji!” Mr Kharge posted on social media. 

Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPIML leader, recalled the allegations and criticisms that Dr Singh faced during his tenure. “He was grilled for scams that would never be proved, for his reticence that’d be held against him as a sign of weakness. But today India will perhaps agree to his 2014 remark: ‘history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media’,” Mr Bhattacharya stated.

Telangana Chief Minister  Revanth Reddy described Dr. Singh as “one of the greatest economists, leaders, reformers, and above all, a humanitarian of our times.” 

“He showed how decency and class are much needed aspects of political & public life. He is a legend in whose passing away, India has lost a great son. Truly, in his own words, history will treat him far more kindly, and respectfully, than his own times perhaps did. My prayers and deepest condolence for the bereaved family members.” Mr Reddy added. 

Dr Singh’s quiet demeanour often masked the monumental impact of his policies. As Finance Minister in the early 1990s, he spearheaded economic reforms that liberalised India’s economy, paving the way for rapid growth and global integration. His tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 saw significant achievements, including the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement and an ambitious expansion of social welfare programs.

 

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is seen as the architect of India’s economic reforms during the PV Narasimha Rao rule that paved the way for the country’s economic growth. But besides economics, his other abiding interest was ‘shayari’ and he often employed verses to launch attacks on political rivals inside and outside the Parliament.

These poetry attacks drew loud cheers from both the treasury and the Opposition benches in times when humour, and not hostility, dominated the mood in Parliament. Mr Singh’s shayari strikes found their worthy match in the 15th Lok Sabha. From 2009-14, BJP stalwart, late Sushma Swaraj, was the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and the ‘jugalbandi’ of ‘shayari’ between the two was nothing less than a delight.

In March 2011, the Parliament erupted over a Wikileaks cable that accused the then ruling Congress of bribing MPs during the 2008 trust vote. Leading the Opposition charge, Ms Swaraj targeted the Prime Minister with Shahab Jafari’s famous lines, “Tu idhar udhar ki na baat kar, yeh bata ki kafila kyun luta, humein rahjano se gila nahi, teri rahbari ka sawal hai.” The lines roughly translate to: “Don’t change the topic, just say why the caravan was looted, we have nothing to say about the robbers, but this is a question on your leadership.”

The Prime Minister replied with Allama Iqbal’s couplet that drew a smile from Ms Swaraj and cheers from the House. “Mana ki teri did ke kaabil nahin hoon main, tu mera shauq dekh mera intezar dekh” (I know I am not worth your attention, but look at my longing.”

Another war of couplets broke out between the two leaders in 2013 during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.

In a sweet attack on the Opposition, former Prime Minister Singh used Mirza Ghalib’s lines, “Humein unse hai wafa ki ummeed jo nahin jante wafa kya hai.” (We expect loyalty from those who don’t know what loyalty is.”

The Leader of the Opposition responded with two shers. The first one was by Bashir Badr. “Kuch to majuriyan rahi hongi, yun hi koi bewafa nahin hota (There must be a reason for betraying love)”

In her second shayari strike, she added, “Tumhe wafa yaad nahi, Humein jafa yaad nahi, zindagi or maut ke toh do hee tarane hain, ek tumhein yaad nahi, ek humein yaad nahi“. The lines translate to “you don’t remember loyalty and we don’t remember disloyalty, life and death have two rhythms, you don’t remember one, we don’t remember the other.”

When Ms Swaraj died in August 2019, Dr Singh had described her as a great parliamentarian and an exceptionally talented Union minister. “I was shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Sushma Swaraj. I have fond memories of my association with her when she was Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha,” he had said.

With Dr Singh gone today, the two leaders and their ‘shayari jugalbandi’ will now live only in our memories of a less-polarised political discourse when debates in Parliament saw less chaos and more cheers.

New Delhi:

Much of India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands on solid ground due the foundation laid by two of his immediate predecessors – former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

India’s global diplomacy made a tectonic shift in its policy and outlook on the back of two major decisions taken by New Delhi in the 1990s – the liberalisation of India’s economy in 1991 – for which then finance minister Manmohan Singh is credited as the architect of India’s “most significant economic reforms”, and in 1998 when the nuclear test was carried out at Pokhran under the stewardship of then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Today, India is regarded as a rising global power and many leaders have contributed greatly in this endeavour, but these were the defining moments from where modern India’s journey began.

India has now lost both these leaders. Manmohan Singh died late evening on Thursday, leaving a nation of 1.4 billion in mourning. “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji,” wrote Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tribute to his predecessor.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also grieved the death of the former prime minister. In his tribute, Dr Jaishankar wrote “While regarded as the architect of Indian economic reforms, he was equally responsible for the strategic corrections to our foreign policy. Was immensely privileged to work closely with him. Will always remember his kindness and courtesy.”

THE NUCLEAR DEAL – A WATERSHED MOMENT

Though his discipline was primarily finance and economics, Manmohan Singh was always known to have a keen interest in foreign affairs. This domain became an area of special focus when Dr Singh took the reins from Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004. Largely in agreement with the direction India’s foreign policy had taken since the Pokhran nuclear tests, Dr Singh continued to build on what the Vajpayee government had done thus far.

He understood the importance of creating India’s legacy as a responsible nuclear weapons state whilst securing a clean-chit from the Nuclear Suppliers Group or NSG in order to build on India’s civil nuclear agreement starting with the United States. Securing the nod from the NSG was a watershed moment in India’s history.

When Manmohan Singh became the prime minister in 2004, S Jaishankar was the Joint Secretary (Americas) at the Ministry of External Affairs. In this capacity, Dr Jaishankar was deeply involved in negotiating the landmark India-US civil nuclear agreement and improving defence co-operation between the two nations.

Manmohan Singh picked S Jaishankar to be one of the key members to shape India’s nuclear policy and get the necessary clearances for nuclear cooperation with other countries too. For this, Dr Singh gave special clearance to Dr Jaishankar to have unrestricted access to the Department of Atomic Energy as well as the Prime Minister’s Office.

Under Dr Singh’s leadership, Dr Jaishankar worked and negotiated tirelessly to help India secure a clearance from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, as well as set up the framework for the civil nuclear deal with America. The framework of the agreement was backed by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who was the President of India till 2007 – a year before the deal finally got inked.

For their role in successfully securing the deal, Manmohan Singh and S Jaishankar went on to be widely regarded as the architects of the India-US civil nuclear agreement. For the deal to become a reality Manmohan Singh had even staked the survival of his government in 2008.

On September 6, 2008, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) adopted a policy decision allowing civil nuclear cooperation between all its member states and India. This groundwork laid by Manmohan Singh was built up on Narendra Modi when he became prime minister in 2014.

Dr S Jaishankar went on to become the Foreign Secretary and then External Affairs Minister in the Narendra Modi government.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, today, besides the US, India has a civil nuclear agreement with France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia, UAE, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Argentina, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, and Namibia.

DIPLOMATIC POLICY

From the start, Manmohan Singh continued with Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s policy of ‘greater engagement’ – something that is followed even today by the Modi government – though the engagement with Pakistan no longer exists due to India’s firm policy that “talks and terror cannot go hand-in-hand”.

The policy of greater engagement – a shift from the previously-followed policy of non-alignment – allowed India to build on its vision of a multi-polar world from a largely bi-polar world – the US and Russia during the Cold War, and more recently the US and China.

Strengthening this policy during his tenure as prime minister, Manmohan Singh gave emphasis to ties with the US, Russia, China, and Pakistan – countries which at that time were considered most critical for India’s foreign policy.

DIPLOMATIC CHALLENGES

Building on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s legacy of trying to resolve differences with Pakistan, Dr Singh’s government engaged with three successive governments in Islamabad. Several noteworthy gestures of peace were sent, but all the efforts made by successive governments in India since 1999 went in vain after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

With China too, the Manmohan Singh government engaged with two different regimes, and considerable progress was made in maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control or LAC – the boundary between India and China. Several confidence-building measures were taken in order to maintain this, but there were still several incidences of transgressions by Chinese troops, one of some of them even led to temporary standoffs in the Ladakh region.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY CONTRIBUTIONS

Ties with Russia grew further and significant strides were made with regard to relations with Japan. Ties with Tokyo were elevated to the level of a strategic partnership. Dr Singh’s government also worked to build on India’s then over-a-decade-old ‘Look East’ policy – which we know today as the ‘Act East’ policy.

Under Manmohan Singh’s leadership, significant enhancements were made to India’s ties with African countries as well as Latin-American nations. This was built upon by PM Modi after taking office in 2014. Today, India plays a very important role as the “voice of the Global South”.
 

New Delhi:

Much of India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands on solid ground due the foundation laid by two of his immediate predecessors – former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

India’s global diplomacy made a tectonic shift in its policy and outlook on the back of two major decisions taken by New Delhi in the 1990s – the liberalisation of India’s economy in 1991 – for which then finance minister Manmohan Singh is credited as the architect of India’s “most significant economic reforms”, and in 1998 when the nuclear test was carried out at Pokhran under the stewardship of then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Today, India is regarded as a rising global power and many leaders have contributed greatly in this endeavour, but these were the defining moments from where modern India’s journey began.

India has now lost both these leaders. Manmohan Singh died late evening on Thursday, leaving a nation of 1.4 billion in mourning. “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji,” wrote Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tribute to his predecessor.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also grieved the death of the former prime minister. In his tribute, Dr Jaishankar wrote “While regarded as the architect of Indian economic reforms, he was equally responsible for the strategic corrections to our foreign policy. Was immensely privileged to work closely with him. Will always remember his kindness and courtesy.”

THE NUCLEAR DEAL – A WATERSHED MOMENT

Though his discipline was primarily finance and economics, Manmohan Singh was always known to have a keen interest in foreign affairs. This domain became an area of special focus when Dr Singh took the reins from Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004. Largely in agreement with the direction India’s foreign policy had taken since the Pokhran nuclear tests, Dr Singh continued to build on what the Vajpayee government had done thus far.

He understood the importance of creating India’s legacy as a responsible nuclear weapons state whilst securing a clean-chit from the Nuclear Suppliers Group or NSG in order to build on India’s civil nuclear agreement starting with the United States. Securing the nod from the NSG was a watershed moment in India’s history.

When Manmohan Singh became the prime minister in 2004, S Jaishankar was the Joint Secretary (Americas) at the Ministry of External Affairs. In this capacity, Dr Jaishankar was deeply involved in negotiating the landmark India-US civil nuclear agreement and improving defence co-operation between the two nations.

Manmohan Singh picked S Jaishankar to be one of the key members to shape India’s nuclear policy and get the necessary clearances for nuclear cooperation with other countries too. For this, Dr Singh gave special clearance to Dr Jaishankar to have unrestricted access to the Department of Atomic Energy as well as the Prime Minister’s Office.

Under Dr Singh’s leadership, Dr Jaishankar worked and negotiated tirelessly to help India secure a clearance from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, as well as set up the framework for the civil nuclear deal with America. The framework of the agreement was backed by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who was the President of India till 2007 – a year before the deal finally got inked.

For their role in successfully securing the deal, Manmohan Singh and S Jaishankar went on to be widely regarded as the architects of the India-US civil nuclear agreement. For the deal to become a reality Manmohan Singh had even staked the survival of his government in 2008.

On September 6, 2008, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) adopted a policy decision allowing civil nuclear cooperation between all its member states and India. This groundwork laid by Manmohan Singh was built up on Narendra Modi when he became prime minister in 2014.

Dr S Jaishankar went on to become the Foreign Secretary and then External Affairs Minister in the Narendra Modi government.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, today, besides the US, India has a civil nuclear agreement with France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia, UAE, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Argentina, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, and Namibia.

DIPLOMATIC POLICY

From the start, Manmohan Singh continued with Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s policy of ‘greater engagement’ – something that is followed even today by the Modi government – though the engagement with Pakistan no longer exists due to India’s firm policy that “talks and terror cannot go hand-in-hand”.

The policy of greater engagement – a shift from the previously-followed policy of non-alignment – allowed India to build on its vision of a multi-polar world from a largely bi-polar world – the US and Russia during the Cold War, and more recently the US and China.

Strengthening this policy during his tenure as prime minister, Manmohan Singh gave emphasis to ties with the US, Russia, China, and Pakistan – countries which at that time were considered most critical for India’s foreign policy.

DIPLOMATIC CHALLENGES

Building on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s legacy of trying to resolve differences with Pakistan, Dr Singh’s government engaged with three successive governments in Islamabad. Several noteworthy gestures of peace were sent, but all the efforts made by successive governments in India since 1999 went in vain after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

With China too, the Manmohan Singh government engaged with two different regimes, and considerable progress was made in maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control or LAC – the boundary between India and China. Several confidence-building measures were taken in order to maintain this, but there were still several incidences of transgressions by Chinese troops, one of some of them even led to temporary standoffs in the Ladakh region.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY CONTRIBUTIONS

Ties with Russia grew further and significant strides were made with regard to relations with Japan. Ties with Tokyo were elevated to the level of a strategic partnership. Dr Singh’s government also worked to build on India’s then over-a-decade-old ‘Look East’ policy – which we know today as the ‘Act East’ policy.

Under Manmohan Singh’s leadership, significant enhancements were made to India’s ties with African countries as well as Latin-American nations. This was built upon by PM Modi after taking office in 2014. Today, India plays a very important role as the “voice of the Global South”.
 

New Delhi:

The sprawling 3, Motilal Nehru Road bungalow in Lutyens’ Delhi served for over 10 years as the retirement abode of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who died Thursday.

A spacious Type-VIII bungalow amid the three-acre plot, Mr Singh had moved to this address in the national capital after attending Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in May 2014.

Prime Minister Modi succeeded him as India’s prime minister and checked into 7 Race Course Road (now 7 Lok Kalyan Marg), the official residence of the prime minister, where Mr Singh stayed for 10 years.

Earlier, the four-bedroom bungalow was the official residence of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who had vacated it after her party’s loss in the Delhi assembly elections. She died in 2019 at the age of 81.

After Ms Dikshit vacated the bungalow, the CPWD completely renovated and restored it by re-doing the flooring and pillars.

Mr Singh, being a former prime minister, had SPG protection along with his family.

The bungalow was home to about 40 full-grown trees, including peepul, arjun, goolar, marorfalli, jamun, neem, mango and seemal, which shelter about 60 species of birds and mammals, when Mr Singh, accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur had moved into this prime address in Lutyens’ Delhi.

The sprawling lawns of the property also provided shelter to a sizeable number of bats.

“Although no count has been taken, the bats could number more than 200,” a senior CPWD official who was involved in getting the house ready for Mr Singh and his family, had then said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

In his last press conference as Prime Minister on January 3, 2014, Dr Manmohan Singh made a remark that has made the rounds on social media multiple times over the past decade.

In that press conference, NDTV’s Sunil Prabhu had asked Dr Singh about his inability to rein in his ministers and his refusal to act in several situations. Responding to this, Dr Singh had said with a smile, “I honestly believe history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament.”

“I cannot divulge all the things that take place in the cabinet system of government. I think taking into account the circumstances and the compulsions of a coalition polity, I have done as best as I could do under the circumstances,” he had added.

At the time, the UPA-II government was reeling under allegations of corruption in several of its ministries, a key reason behind the Congress’s rout in the 2014 general election and the Narendra Modi-led BJP’s ascent to power.

The 92-year-old former Prime Minister breathed his last today. He had been keeping unwell for a while. The AIIMS said in a statement that Dr Singh was under treatment for age-related conditions. Today, he lost consciousness at home. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS at 8.06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 PM,” the hospital said.

Before heading the Executive as Prime Minister, Dr Singh served as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and oversaw India’s economic reforms under the PV Narasimha Rao government as Finance Minister.

Mourning his predecessor in the top post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders.

“India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X.

New Delhi:

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi grieved the loss of “a mentor and guide” late Thursday after confirmation of the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 92.

In an emotional message on X, Mr Gandhi, in Karnataka’s Belagavi to attend a meeting of the Congress Working Committee, said, “Manmohan Singhji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation.”

“I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Mr Gandhi said, “My heartfelt condolences to Mrs Kaur (Mr Singh’s wife) and the family.”

Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation.

My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family.

I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the… pic.twitter.com/bYT5o1ZN2R

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 26, 2024

Mr Gandhi’s message underlines the deep connection between the two leaders.

Manmohan Singh emerged as one of Rahul Gandhi’s gurus in his nascent years in Indian politics, particularly after the assassination of his father, ex-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, in May 1991.

Mr Gandhi’s sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, also posted a heartfelt message.

READ | “Few Inspired Respect…”: PGV Leads Tributes To Manmohan Singh

“Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect Sardar Manmohan Singhji did. His honesty will always be an inspiration for us, and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country… as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents,” the Wayanad MP said.

Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh ji did.

His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation… pic.twitter.com/BXA6zHG2Fq

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) December 26, 2024

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes from the government and senior members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

READ | “One Of India’s Most Distinguished”: PM Modi Mourns Manmohan Singh

“India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr Manmohan Singhji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.”

Manmohan Singh shot to prominence as the Union Finance Minister in the government headed by the late former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao.

READ | Manmohan Singh, 2-Time PM And Architect Of India’s Economic Reforms, Dies At 92

It was under Mr Singh’s stewardship that the Indian economy underwent widespread reforms, including opening up to the global market, which completely transformed the economy.

Manmohan Singh then became Prime Minister after the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance won the 2004 general election. He returned for a second term in 2014.

Mr Singh also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha till April, when he retired.

New Delhi:

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh died at the age of 92 at AIIMS Delhi. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions, AIIMS said.

The nation is mourning the loss of Mr Singh who served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and played a key role in bringing transformative economic reforms in India as Finance Minister in PV Narasimha Rao’s government. During his tenure, the historic Civil Nuclear Deal was signed with the US in 2008, marking a civil nuclear partnership with the US and access to critical technologies in strategic areas.

President of India, Droupadi Murmu said, “Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji was one of those rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease.”

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji was one of those rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease. In his various roles in public offices, he made critical contributions to reforming Indian economy. He will always be…

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 26, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the loss of one of India’s “most distinguished leaders”. The Prime Minister posted a thread on X, and wrote,  Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.”

India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic… pic.twitter.com/clW00Yv6oP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 26, 2024

“His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” he added.

Home Minister Amit Shah said, “The news of the demise of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is extremely sad. From being the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to the Finance Minister of the country and as the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh played an important role in the governance of the country. I express my condolences to his family and supporters in this hour of grief. May Waheguru grant peace to his soul and give strength to his family to bear this grief.”

Union Home Minister JP Nadda said, “The passing of Former Prime Minister and Economist Shri Manmohan Singh ji is an immense loss for the nation.” 

The passing of Former Prime Minister and Economist Shri Manmohan Singh ji is an immense loss for the nation. A visionary statesman and a stalwart of Indian politics, throughout his remarkable career in public service, he consistently voiced for the welfare of the downtrodden.…

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) December 26, 2024

“His leadership earned admiration and respect across party lines. Shri Manmohan Singh ji’s legacy will continue to inspire generations in their pursuit of nation-building,” he added.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he “lost a mentor and guide”. “His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation,” Mr Gandhi said.

Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation.

My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family.

I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the… pic.twitter.com/bYT5o1ZN2R

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 26, 2024

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who served as Railways Minister in ex-PM Manmohan Singh’s cabinet, said, “Profoundly stunned and saddened by the sudden demise of our former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ji. I had worked with him and saw him from very close quarters in the Union Cabinet. His erudition and wisdom were unquestionable, and the depth of the financial reforms ushered in by him in the country are widely acknowledged. 

The country will miss his stewardship and I shall miss his affection. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and followers,” she added.

Former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, who was part of the Manmohan Singh-led cabinet said, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India. His contributions to the nation and his dedication to public service will always be remembered.”

Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India. His contributions to the nation and his dedication to public service will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/0OmVanuiNa

— Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) December 26, 2024

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh ji did. His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents.”

Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh ji did.

His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation… pic.twitter.com/BXA6zHG2Fq

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) December 26, 2024

Former Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhupinder Hooda, said, “I am saddened by the news of the demise of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, a great economist of the world, a pioneer of economic reforms in India and one who, through his work, took the country forward on the path of progress and gave it a distinct identity across the world.”

“His departure has caused an irreparable loss to the political world, which will be extremely difficult to compensate in the near future.”

Former Governor of Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, Kalraj Mishra, said, “I pay my humble tribute to the demise of former Prime Minister of India Shri Manmohan Singh ji. I pray to God to give him a place in his feet and provide strength to the grief-stricken family in this hour of grief.”

Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati, said, “The news of the demise of former Prime Minister of the country Dr. Manmohan Singh tonight is extremely sad. He had a special contribution in improving India’s economy. He was a noble person.”

भारत के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री श्री मनमोहन सिंह जी के निधन पर विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित करता हूँ।

ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि उन्हें अपने चरणों मे स्थान दें एवं इस दुख की घड़ी में शोक संतप्त परिजनों को संबल प्रदान करे।

ॐ शांति! pic.twitter.com/cisNbwjmC8

— कलराज मिश्र (Kalraj Mishra) (@KalrajMishra) December 26, 2024

My deepest condolences to his family and all his loved ones.”