Former Indian PM Manmohan Singh dies aged 92
26 December 2024, 17:54
Mr Singh was widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform programme and a landmark nuclear deal with the US.
India’s former prime minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform programme and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died aged 92.
Mr Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late on Thursday after his health deteriorated due to a “sudden loss of consciousness at home”, a hospital spokesperson said in a statement.
“Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home, he was brought to the Medical Emergency” at 8.06pm, the spokesperson said, but “despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51pm”.
Mr Singh was being treated for “age-related medical conditions”, the spokesperson added.
A mild-mannered technocrat, Mr Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers, holding office for 10 years and earning a reputation as a man of great personal integrity.
He was chosen to fill the role in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
But his image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers.
Mr Singh was elected to a second term as prime minister from 2009-2014 that was clouded by financial scandals and corruption charges over the organisation of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
This led to the Congress Party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 national election by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi.
Mr Singh adopted a low profile after relinquishing the post of prime minister.
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
Mr Modi, who succeeded Mr Singh in 2014, called him one of India’s “most distinguished leaders” who rose from humble origins and left “a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years”.
“As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Mr Modi said in a post on social platform X.
He called Mr Singh’s interventions in Parliament as a lawmaker “insightful” and said “his wisdom and humility were always visible”.
