Premium

‘India mourns loss of a distinguished leader’: PM Modi pays tribute to Manmohan Singh

Modi also recalled their professional interactions during Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister and his own as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. "

The Prime Minister extended his condolences to Singh’s family, friends, and admirers. (X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a heartfelt tribute to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, describing him as “one of India’s most distinguished leaders” whose legacy will endure in the nation’s history.

“Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist,” Modi said, reflecting on Singh’s transformative role in shaping India’s economic policies. He praised Singh’s impactful tenure as Finance Minister and his efforts as Prime Minister to improve the lives of millions.

Modi also recalled their professional interactions during Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister and his own as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. “We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible,” he said.

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

The Prime Minister extended his condolences to Singh’s family, friends, and admirers, concluding, “In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, his friends, and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”

Story continues below this ad

Dr Manmohan Singh, the 14th Prime Minister of India who was widely acknowledged as the architect of the country’s economic reforms, passed away in New Delhi on Thursday. He was 92. Singh was on Thursday evening admitted to the emergency department of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where he breathed his last, the hospital confirmed.

The former Prime Minister was administered CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), but efforts to revive him remained unsuccessful, said sources.

Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah village, West Punjab (now in Pakistan), Singh’s life was a testament to service, scholarship, and leadership. He earned a Master’s degree in Economics from Panjab University, Chandigarh, and later obtained a doctorate from the University of Oxford.

Also Read | Manmohan Singh turns 83 today: Here are some rare pictures from Express archives

Singh served as Prime Minister from May 22, 2004, to May 26, 2014, leading the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for a historic 3,656 days. His tenure made him the third longest-serving Prime Minister in Indian history, following Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Story continues below this ad

Before his political career, Singh had an illustrious journey in government service. Starting as the Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Trade in 1971, he quickly rose through the ranks. By 1976, he was Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance. Over the years, he held several key roles, including Director of the Reserve Bank of India, Alternate Governor for India at the Asian Development Bank and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Member (Finance) at the Singh’s legacy will forever be tied to the transformative economic reforms he initiated during his tenure as Finance Minister in 1991. These reforms not only liberalized the Indian economy but also paved the way for its global integration.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram