Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, a towering figure in Indian politics and economics, passed away at the age of 92 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, hospital authorities confirmed on Thursday night. According to sources, Singh was admitted in critical condition earlier, and despite efforts to stabilize his health, he succumbed to his ailments.
In a heartfelt tribute, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his official X handle to mourn the loss of the esteemed leader. The Prime Minister wrote, “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.” Modi further praised Singh’s contributions, saying, “He served in various government positions, 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.”
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed her grief, posting a touching tribute on her social media platforms. She wrote, “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.”
She continued, “He was genuinely egalitarian, wise, strong-willed and courageous until the end. A uniquely dignified and gentle man in the rough world of politics.”
Earlier in the day, both Priyanka Gandhi and BJP National President JP Nadda visited AIIMS to check on the health of the veteran politician, who had been an iconic presence in Indian political and economic life for decades.
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s rise to prominence began in the early 1990s when he served as Finance Minister under Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. His visionary leadership during this period was instrumental in navigating India through a severe economic crisis. Singh is widely credited with initiating landmark economic reforms, including liberalization, privatization, and globalization, which opened India’s economy to the world and set the stage for substantial growth and transformation across sectors.
Following his success as Finance Minister, Singh became the Prime Minister of India, serving two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014 under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. During his tenure, India saw considerable progress in economic growth, although his time in office was also marred by challenges related to governance, corruption scandals, and political tensions.
Even after stepping down from the Prime Minister’s office in 2014, Singh continued to play an influential role in Indian politics. He represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha, where his insights on economic and international affairs were highly respected. He remained a key figure in the Indian National Congress and a prominent voice in discussions on India’s growth trajectory. In April 2024, he retired from the Rajya Sabha, marking the end of an extraordinary political career.
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s legacy as both a statesman and economist is firmly etched in the history of modern India, and his contributions to the nation’s development will continue to resonate for generations to come.