Manmohan Singh, who served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and was widely recognized as the architect of India’s economic liberalization, has died at age 92 in Delhi.
Born in 1932 in a remote Punjab village without basic amenities, Singh rose from humble beginnings to earn degrees from Cambridge and Oxford. His academic excellence led to a distinguished career as an economist, serving as India’s central bank governor before entering politics.
Singh’s pivotal moment came in 1991 when, as finance minister, he spearheaded unprecedented economic reforms during India’s financial crisis. He liberalized the economy by reducing taxes, devaluing the rupee, privatizing state companies, and opening doors to foreign investment. These measures helped revive India’s economy and maintain strong growth throughout the 1990s.
In 2004, Singh became India’s first Sikh Prime Minister when Congress party president Sonia Gandhi declined the position. His first term saw significant achievements, notably the U.S.-India nuclear deal that ended India’s nuclear isolation. He won re-election in 2009, becoming the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full term.
His second term faced challenges, including corruption allegations against his administration that contributed to Congress’s defeat in 2014. Throughout his tenure, Singh maintained diplomatic relations with Pakistan despite tensions, worked to resolve border disputes with China, and strengthened ties with Afghanistan.
Known for his quiet demeanor and scholarly approach, Singh often faced criticism for being perceived as indecisive. After leaving office, he remained active in opposition politics and offered economic guidance, including recommendations during the 2020 coronavirus crisis.
Singh’s foreign policy preserved continuity with previous governments while expanding India’s international engagement. He worked to improve regional relationships, though the 2008 Mumbai attacks strained Pakistan relations. He also sought stronger ties with Western nations while managing traditional alliances.
Despite facing legal scrutiny over corruption allegations in 2015, Singh maintained his innocence and continued his public service. He remained engaged with national issues as a senior Congress party leader in his last years.
As Prime Minister, Singh led a complex coalition government, balancing regional interests while pursuing economic development. While some critics questioned his leadership style, supporters praised his integrity and intellectual depth. In 2014, he expressed confidence that history would judge his tenure favorably.
His wife and three daughters survived Singh. His legacy centers on his role in transforming India’s economy and maintaining political stability during a crucial period of national development, though opinions vary on the overall impact of his leadership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes, noting Singh’s distinguished service and humility, while Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi remembered him as a mentor and guide who remained principled throughout his career.
About the author
US and Britain Set to Announce Historic Tariff Reduction Deal
The United States and Britain are preparing to announce an agreement to lower tariffs on certain goods on Thursday, marking the first such deal since President Donald Trump implemented worldwide tariffs. Trump announced on Truth Social that he would hold an Oval Office news conference at 10 a.m. EDT Thursday regarding a "major trade deal with representatives of a big and highly respected country." A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed he would provide an update on US-UK trade discussions later Thursday. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated the framework of an agreement would be announced. "The United States is an indispensable ally for both our economic and national security," a Downing Street spokesperson stated. "Talks on a deal between our countries have been continuing at pace, and the Prime Minister will update later today." A British official […]
Europe Commemorates 80th Anniversary of VE Day Amid Shifting Security Landscape
Solemn ceremonies will be held at war memorials across France on Thursday as the country marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, observed as a public holiday there annually. In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron will lay a wreath at Charles de Gaulle's statue, walk up the Champs-รlysรฉes to the Arc de Triomphe, rekindle the eternal flame at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and inspect troops. The ceremony will include a minute's silence, a rendition of the Marseillaise, a speech from Macron on "the values that triumphed in 1945," military bands from six countries, a parade of French armed forces personnel, flags, wartime vehicles, re-enactors, and a flypast. However, France is among the relatively few European countries marking VE Day with such an elaborate ceremony. Some commemorate it more modestly without a public holiday; others call it […]
Young Britons Turn to Catholicism Seeking Deeper Connection in Digital Age
Twenty-three-year-old Joshua Steel found a "great sense of peace" when he began attending Catholic Mass in Britain, something he says was missing in his life. Twenty-six-year-old Dan Williamson was driven to convert by an "ache" for something "deeper and ancient and more rich." Both are among a growing number of men aged 18-34 attending church in Britain compared to pre-pandemic times, challenging the assumption that Christianity was in generational decline in Western nations like Britain. As cardinals gather to vote for Pope Francis's successor on May 7, the traditions and rituals of the Catholic Church, combined with a longing for connection and faith, appear to be attracting younger British adults, particularly men. "I was looking for meaning in life," Steel said after Mass at St. Elizabeth of Portugal church in southwest London, as incense lingered in the air. An Australian […]
UK Stocks Decline Led by Healthcare and Real Estate Despite Trade Talk Progress
Britain's main indexes fell on Wednesday, with healthcare and real estate stocks leading the decline despite positive developments in trade talks, as investor focus shifted to the upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate decision. By 1008 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 0.3%. The domestically focused midcap index slipped 0.2%, poised to end its nine-session upward streak. An index of the UK's healthcare companies dropped 2% after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration appointed Vinay Prasad, an oncologist previously criticized for FDA leadership and COVID-19 mandates, as the director of its Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Shares of GSK and AstraZeneca fell between 4.4% and 2%, with GSK heading toward its largest daily decline in a month. The real estate index shed 1.3% following an industry survey that showed Britain's construction sector contracted for a fourth consecutive month in […]
German Chancellor Nominee Rejected in Historic First-Round Vote
Friedrich Merz, Germany's conservative leader, unexpectedly failed to secure enough votes to become chancellor on Tuesday, plunging Europe's largest economy into renewed political uncertainty. The 69-year-old Merz, whose CDU/CSU conservatives won February's federal election and recently signed a coalition agreement with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), received only 310 votes in the secret parliamentary ballotโsix short of the absolute majority required. At least 18 coalition MPs apparently withheld their support. While not necessarily fatal to his chancellorship bid, Merz's first-round rejection marks an unprecedented setback in post-war German politics and embarrasses a leader who promised economic revival during global instability. The vote immediately cast doubt on Merz's planned diplomatic visits to France and Poland scheduled for Wednesday. Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner announced that nine lawmakers abstained while 307 voted against Merz, who appeared visibly shocked by the outcome. Party insiders […]
Rihanna Announces Third Pregnancy During Met Gala 2025
Rihanna revealed her third pregnancy at Monday's Met Gala, continuing her tradition of making memorable appearances at the prestigious fundraising event. The 37-year-old singer and beauty entrepreneur's pregnancy announcement preceded her arrival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photographer Miles Diggs shared a portrait on Instagram showing Rihanna in a fitted gray Miu Miu outfit with her baby bump clearly visible. The ensemble, which embraced the gala's Black dandy theme, included a skirt, matching knee-high boots, fur stole, and black cloche hat. A$AP Rocky, Rihanna's partner and a co-chair of this year's event, confirmed the news to reporters on the red carpet. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," the rapper responded when congratulated. "I'm glad everybody's happy for us because we're definitely happy." After all other guests had arrived, Rihanna entered in a deconstructed black ensemble featuring a cropped jacket, […]
Related
Robert Prevost’s Unexpected Path to the Papacy
Tonight, from the Vatican, a stunning development that will reverberate across the Catholic world. The College of Cardinals, in a move that has surprised many, has reportedly chosen Robert Prevost as the successor to the papacy. A figure perhaps less known on the global stage than some of the speculated frontrunners, Robert Prevost's ascent marks a potentially significant turning point for the Church. Robert Prevost, an American prelate who has been serving as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a crucial Vatican department responsible for recommending candidates for bishoprics worldwide, is now poised to take on the monumental task of leading over a billion Catholics. His background, notably his long service as a missionary in Latin America, particularly in Peru, offers a compelling narrative of a life dedicated to the pastoral needs of the faithful in the developing world. […]
US and Britain Set to Announce Historic Tariff Reduction Deal
The United States and Britain are preparing to announce an agreement to lower tariffs on certain goods on Thursday, marking the first such deal since President Donald Trump implemented worldwide tariffs. Trump announced on Truth Social that he would hold an Oval Office news conference at 10 a.m. EDT Thursday regarding a "major trade deal with representatives of a big and highly respected country." A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed he would provide an update on US-UK trade discussions later Thursday. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated the framework of an agreement would be announced. "The United States is an indispensable ally for both our economic and national security," a Downing Street spokesperson stated. "Talks on a deal between our countries have been continuing at pace, and the Prime Minister will update later today." A British official […]
Europe Commemorates 80th Anniversary of VE Day Amid Shifting Security Landscape
Solemn ceremonies will be held at war memorials across France on Thursday as the country marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, observed as a public holiday there annually. In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron will lay a wreath at Charles de Gaulle's statue, walk up the Champs-รlysรฉes to the Arc de Triomphe, rekindle the eternal flame at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and inspect troops. The ceremony will include a minute's silence, a rendition of the Marseillaise, a speech from Macron on "the values that triumphed in 1945," military bands from six countries, a parade of French armed forces personnel, flags, wartime vehicles, re-enactors, and a flypast. However, France is among the relatively few European countries marking VE Day with such an elaborate ceremony. Some commemorate it more modestly without a public holiday; others call it […]
Young Britons Turn to Catholicism Seeking Deeper Connection in Digital Age
Twenty-three-year-old Joshua Steel found a "great sense of peace" when he began attending Catholic Mass in Britain, something he says was missing in his life. Twenty-six-year-old Dan Williamson was driven to convert by an "ache" for something "deeper and ancient and more rich." Both are among a growing number of men aged 18-34 attending church in Britain compared to pre-pandemic times, challenging the assumption that Christianity was in generational decline in Western nations like Britain. As cardinals gather to vote for Pope Francis's successor on May 7, the traditions and rituals of the Catholic Church, combined with a longing for connection and faith, appear to be attracting younger British adults, particularly men. "I was looking for meaning in life," Steel said after Mass at St. Elizabeth of Portugal church in southwest London, as incense lingered in the air. An Australian […]
UK Stocks Decline Led by Healthcare and Real Estate Despite Trade Talk Progress
Britain's main indexes fell on Wednesday, with healthcare and real estate stocks leading the decline despite positive developments in trade talks, as investor focus shifted to the upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate decision. By 1008 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 0.3%. The domestically focused midcap index slipped 0.2%, poised to end its nine-session upward streak. An index of the UK's healthcare companies dropped 2% after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration appointed Vinay Prasad, an oncologist previously criticized for FDA leadership and COVID-19 mandates, as the director of its Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Shares of GSK and AstraZeneca fell between 4.4% and 2%, with GSK heading toward its largest daily decline in a month. The real estate index shed 1.3% following an industry survey that showed Britain's construction sector contracted for a fourth consecutive month in […]
Trump Strikes Ceasefire Deal While Houthis Pledge Continued Attacks Against Israel
Yemen's Houthi chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdulsalam, has clarified that their ceasefire agreement with the United States excludes operations against Israel. Abdulsalam told Reuters on Wednesday that attacking Israel was not included "in any way, shape or form" in the Oman-mediated deal. This announcement came shortly after Israeli warplanes struck Yemen's Sanaa airport, causing approximately $500 million in damage according to airport director Khaled al-Shaief. The ceasefire was announced Tuesday by US President Donald Trump, who declared that attacks on Yemen would cease immediately after the Houthis agreed to stop targeting vessels in the Red Sea. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed the agreement, stating that "following recent discussions and contacts... with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides." The deal specifies that "neither side will target the other... ensuring freedom of navigation […]
Be the first to leave a comment