Manmohan Singh, India’s reformist ex-PM, passes away at 92

India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely hailed as the architect of economic reforms, died at 92 on Thursday. He was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences after collapsing at home. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts, he was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.

Singh served as India’s prime minister for a decade, from 2004 to 2014, leaving a legacy of economic liberalization and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States. As finance minister in 1991, he steered India out of a severe financial crisis, introducing policies that opened the economy to global markets.

Born on September 26, 1932, in undivided India’s Punjab province, Singh earned advanced degrees in economics from Cambridge and Oxford. He worked as a professor before joining the Indian government in 1971. Over the years, he held key positions, including Chief Economic Adviser and Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.

During his tenure as prime minister, Singh implemented policies like the Right to Information Act and a rural employment guarantee scheme. However, allegations of corruption against his ministers marred his leadership, particularly during his second term. The 2014 general election saw the Congress Party suffer a historic defeat to Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.

Global leaders expressed their condolences. Prime Minister Modi praised Singh’s contributions to economic policy and his humility in leadership. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called him a mentor and admired his wisdom and integrity. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken lauded Singh’s efforts to strengthen U.S.-India relations.

Singh’s foreign policy emphasized pragmatic approaches. He initiated peace talks with Pakistan and worked to resolve border disputes with China. His tenure saw India end nuclear isolation, granting access to U.S. nuclear technology. However, these moves faced internal political challenges.

Singh’s achievements earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award. His scholarly contributions, like his 1965 book on trade policy, reflected his deep understanding of economics.

Survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters, Singh leaves behind a lasting legacy. He will be remembered for steering India toward economic modernization and fostering global partnerships, despite political hurdles.