Manmohan Singh: The Architect of India’s Global Integration and Its Seat at the World’s High Table

Manmohan Singh, the visionary economist who opened India’s economy to the world, lifting millions out of poverty and paving the way for the nation’s place at the global high table, passed away in New Delhi on Thursday night at the age of 92.

The former Prime Minister is survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and their three daughters. According to a statement from AIIMS, Singh was brought to the emergency ward at 8:06 p.m. following a sudden loss of consciousness at home. Despite all efforts to revive him, he was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.

As Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, Manmohan Singh broke India’s long-standing nuclear isolation, guided the nation through the turbulence of the global financial crisis, and helped secure its place in the emerging global order.

An unlikely political leader, Singh was a scholarly, soft-spoken academic who rose to prominence despite his humble beginnings. Born in Gah, now in Pakistan, his family migrated to India during Partition. A graduate of both Oxford and Cambridge universities, he was a staunch advocate of the free market while also reshaping the role of the welfare state during his tenure as Prime Minister.

Under Manmohan Singh’s leadership, the UPA government spent a decade at the helm, ushering in a second wave of economic reforms while simultaneously launching a broad range of welfare initiatives. This marked a departure from the long-held belief that economic growth and social welfare were incompatible.

Singh’s earlier work as Finance Minister in the 1990s, under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, laid the foundation for India’s financial transformation. The policies he championed as Prime Minister further accelerated industrial growth, lifted millions out of poverty, expanded the middle class, and revitalized Indian business.

One of his most defining achievements was steering the historic Indo-US nuclear deal, a moment that revealed a different side of Singh – the politician. It was a carefully measured, understated display of his diplomatic skill and conviction.

Singh’s journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of power is a testament to the remarkable potential of India’s democracy, despite its imperfections. His rise as a self-made man is a story of determination and perseverance, and his passing leaves a deep void in the nation’s political landscape. India mourns the loss of a statesman whose vision, integrity, and leadership have left an indelible imprint on the country’s history.

During his tenure, Singh put his government on the line, resisting the Left’s pressure tactics and ultimately securing the historic nuclear deal. In doing so, he demonstrated not only his political acumen but also his mastery of realpolitik, showing both his party and the Opposition that he could navigate the complexities of Indian politics with finesse. He weathered multiple crises within his Cabinet and managed internal tensions within the Congress, remaining steady through various pulls and pressures. Even when faced with Rahul Gandhi’s controversial 2013 ordinance-tearing episode, which nearly led to his resignation, Singh showed remarkable restraint. Ultimately, he chose to stay on, with the elderly statesman in him accepting the persuasion of his colleagues. Singh later revealed to a interview that Rahul had later apologized to him.

The first Sikh to become Prime Minister, Singh was also the first to return to office after completing a full term since Jawaharlal Nehru. However, his second term was marked by controversies and corruption allegations that undermined his government, leading to the Congress Party’s defeat in 2014. Since then, the party has struggled to recover from its loss of power.

Starting his career as an Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Trade in the early 1970s, Manmohan Singh held several important positions, including Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, and Chairman of the University Grants Commission. However, it was his appointment as Finance Minister in the 1991 Narasimha Rao government that marked a pivotal turning point in both his life and India’s economic trajectory.

A consensus-driven politician with deep convictions, Singh possessed a rare skill: the ability to avoid letting ego and verbosity cloud his decisions, setting him apart from many of his peers. Admired by some and criticized by others, Singh served as a six-term Rajya Sabha MP, blending conviction and diplomacy throughout his political career. His calm demeanor and measured approach often surprised and disarmed those who underestimated his political acumen.

When the Left presented challenges to his government, Singh stood his ground. He engaged in dialogue but remained firm on crucial issues, most notably the Indo-US nuclear deal. When the Left threatened to withdraw support over the deal, Singh delivered a stern message to Prakash Karat and others: India could not renegotiate the agreement, and if they chose to pull their support, so be it. In a defining moment of political maneuvering, Singh secured the backing of the Samajwadi Party in a crucial trust vote in July 2008, effectively outflanking the Opposition.

Despite his firm convictions, Singh, whom former US President Barack Obama described as a man of “uncommon wisdom and decency,” rarely sought open confrontation. His strength lay in his quiet, yet resolute, leadership.

Manmohan Singh was often firm in his convictions, as seen in his determination to push through the controversial nuclear deal, a move that stunned many within his own party, including Congress. Yet, he was also willing to yield when needed, particularly when responding to the party’s (read Sonia Gandhi’s) directives. Unlike many career politicians, he did not shy away from playing second fiddle; rather, he turned it into a strength. This rare trait allowed him to navigate the often treacherous waters of Indian politics with a unique blend of quiet resolve and strategic flexibility. As Finance Minister during the 1991 economic reforms, he was the silent force behind the transformation, while the political face of the initiative was Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, who bore the brunt of the political fallout.

Singh, who had been Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee era, was a surprise choice for Prime Minister in 2004 after Sonia Gandhi declined the post due to the controversy surrounding her foreign origin. By then, Singh had contested only one Lok Sabha election, in 1999, and lost from South Delhi.

Despite a divided party and stubborn allies, Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister marked a significant shift in India’s foreign policy. His government gradually moved away from the Nehruvian policy of non-alignment, forging stronger, more balanced ties with the United States.

Singh also steered India through the global financial crisis with remarkable success, earning praise from former U.S. President Barack Obama, who later remarked, “When the Prime Minister speaks, people listen, particularly because of his deep knowledge of economic issues, as well as the fact that he understands that as India rises as a world power, not just a regional power, it also has enormous responsibilities to work with the rest of the world community on issues of peace and prosperity.”

However, Singh’s second term as Prime Minister was marred by allegations of policy paralysis and corruption, which damaged his public image. The BJP frequently criticized him as weak and suggested that he was remote-controlled by Sonia Gandhi.

Yet, Singh believed his legacy would stand the test of time. “I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament,” he said toward the end of his term. “I cannot divulge all things that take place in the Cabinet system of government. But given the circumstances and the compulsions of a coalition polity, I have done the best I could under the circumstances.”