By Reeturaj - Dec 27, 2024
Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passes away at 92, leaving behind a legacy of economic reforms. Credited with transforming India’s economy, Singh's tenure was marked by key policies and negotiations, though marred by controversies. Described as one of India's most distinguished leaders, his death prompts tributes from across the political spectrum.
Debatosh Sengupta via Flickr
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Former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, has passed away at the age of 92, leaving behind a significant legacy of economic reforms and liberalization. Singh served as India’s prime minister from 2004 to 2014 and was credited with transforming the country’s economy and bringing it out of nuclear isolation. His death has prompted tributes from across the political spectrum, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing him as "one of India's most distinguished leaders."
Singh's rise to prominence began in 1991 when he was appointed finance minister, with the challenging task of rescuing India’s economy from bankruptcy. This unexpected appointment marked the start of a long and illustrious political career during which he implemented several key economic reforms, including cutting taxes, devaluing the rupee, and encouraging foreign investment. These policies had a profound impact on India’s economy, leading to rapid growth and industrialization in the 1990s.
As prime minister, Singh played a vital role in shaping India’s economic and foreign policies. He was instrumental in negotiating the Indo-US nuclear deal, which represented a significant shift in India’s nuclear policy and ended the country’s nuclear isolation. Singh also made efforts to promote peace and stability in the region, including attempts to resolve the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan.
Despite his many achievements, Singh’s tenure as prime minister was not without controversy. His second term was overshadowed by several corruption scandals, including the 2G spectrum allocation case and the allocation of coal blocks. These scandals drew widespread criticism and ultimately contributed to the Congress party’s defeat in the 2014 general election.
Singh is survived by his wife and three daughters. His passing marks the end of an era in Indian politics, and he will be remembered as a statesman who played a crucial role in shaping India’s economic and foreign policies. As Prime Minister Modi noted, Singh’s "wisdom and humility were always visible" during their interactions, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Indian leaders.