PV Narasimha Rao: The PM who opened India’s doors to liberalisation

Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao was India’s eighth prime minister. P V Narasimha Rao, a man of great ability who had served as a senior minister in the cabinets of both Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, was generally considered a suitable successor to Rajiv. He was a man of intellect with wide experience and a non-assertive political style, combined with a commendable willingness to compromise. (Source: Express archive photo)

When he became PM, he was underestimated by then Congress leaders just as Indira Gandhi was by the Syndicate. (Source: Express archive photo by Arun Jetlie)

On June 21, 1991, exactly a month after the brutal assassination of Rajiv, P V Narasimha Rao was sworn in as prime minister. Prime Minster PV Narasimha Rao with Sonia Gandhi at Hyderabad house. (Source: Express archive photo)

In keeping with the practice established in Indira Gandhi’s time, Rao held on to both the offices of PM and the Congress president. (Source: Express archive photo)

At the time of Rao's prime ministership, India was facing a foreign exchange crisis of such magnitude that we had to deposit 47 tonnes of gold in the Bank of England to tide over the situation. Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao being received by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha. (Source: File/PTI)

Rao courageously changed the economic policy to that of liberalisation and globalisation. He introduced a series of dramatic economic reforms to liberalise the Indian economy, which had until then remained regulated. (Source: Express archive photo)

As PM, he navigated the stormy seas amid the wreckage of the Cold War, establishing diplomatic ties with Israel, opening up to South Africa, travelling in 1994 to meet Bill Clinton, then still a first-term India-sceptic. (Source: Express archive photo)

Rao's adminitration had for several scams, in some of which members of his family were allegedly involved. Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani with Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao at Hydrabad house. (Source: Express photo by Arun Jetlie)

It was during Rao's time the demolition of the Babri Masjid took place and the worst Hindu-Muslim riot took place since Independence. (Source: File/PTI)

Rao also faced challenges during his administration as congress party members were not united and had conflict of interest resulting the in the party not backing him during the demolition of the Babri Masjid. Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in conversation with mother Teresa. (Source: Express archive photo)