A true statesman and dedicated public servant: Biden
NEW DELHI: US President Joe Biden expressed condolences on the passing of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, recognising his contributions to US-India relations and global cooperation.
“Jill and I join the people of India in grieving the loss of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,” President Biden said in an official statement by the White House.
“The unprecedented level of cooperation between the United States and India today would not have been possible without the Prime Minister’s strategic vision and political courage. From forging the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement to helping launch the first Quad between Indo-Pacific partners, he charted pathbreaking progress that will continue to strengthen our nations–and the world–for generations to come. He was a true statesman. A dedicated public servant. And above all, he was a kind and humble person.”
Biden also recalled his meetings with Singh during key moments in their professional lives. “I had the chance to meet Prime Minister Singh as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2008 and as Vice President during his Official State Visit to the United States in 2009. He also graciously hosted me in New Delhi in 2013.”
“As we discussed then, the US-India relationship is among the most consequential in the world. And together, as partners and friends, our nations can unlock a future of dignity and unlimited potential for all of our people,” he continued, as per the statement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
In a statement, the Russian President described the former PM as an outstanding statesman who made significant contributions to India’s economic development and its global interests.
Putin also highlighted Singh’s role in strengthening India-Russia relations by elevating them to the level of a special privileged strategic partnership.
“Manmohan Singh was an outstanding statesman. As Prime Minister and when serving in other high-ranking positions, he accomplished a lot in promoting India’s economic development and asserting its interests on the world stage. He also made a major personal contribution to strengthening friendly ties between our two countries by elevating them to the level of a special privileged strategic partnership,” Putin said in the statement.
President Putin further noted that he had the opportunity to speak with Singh on several occasions and expressed that his memory would be cherished.
“I had the occasion of talking with this remarkable man several times. We will cherish the memory of him,” he further stated.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya remembered the former PM for “his endeavours, which built the foundation” for the development of bilateral relations between the two nations.
“Following the passing of H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, on December 26, PM ISHIBA and FM IWAYA respectively sent letters of condolences to H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, and H.E. Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, expressing sincere condolences and paying tribute to Dr. Singh for his endeavours, which built the foundation for the development of Japan-India relations of today,” the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on X.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel have also condoled the former PM’s demise.
Macron said that India has lost a “great man” and France a “true friend” and offered condolences to Singh’s family and the people of India.
In a post shared on X, Macron stated, “India has lost a great man, and France a true friend, in the person of Dr. Manmohan Singh. He had devoted his life to his country. Our thoughts are with his family and the people of India.”
Ramchandra Paudel called the former PM a “visionary leader” of India and extended sympathies to the government and people of India and the bereaved family members.
“We are profoundly saddened by the passing away of former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh. Dr. Singh was a visionary leader of India.I extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the government and people of India as well as the bereaved family members,” Paudel posted on X.
President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, also expressed his condolences in a post on X, extending sympathies to Singh’s family and his admirers worldwide.
“On behalf of the people of Sri Lanka and myself, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Republic of India, Dr Manmohan Singh’s family, and his countless admirers worldwide. A visionary leader, Dr Singh’s influence transcended national boundaries,” Dissanayake wrote.
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that he was deeply saddened by the passing of Manmohan Singh and called him a “visionary leader.” He said Nepal will forever remember Dr Manmohan Singh’s support for democracy and lasting friendship.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Manmohan Singh, former PM of India. A visionary leader, his wisdom, humility, and dedication shaped India and inspired the region. Nepal will forever remember his support for democracy and lasting friendship,” Oli posted on X.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also condoled the demise of former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Ibrahim described Singh as a cherished friend and a towering figure in Indian economic reform.
Anwar reflected on the life of Singh, recalling his leadership during India’s transformative economic era.
“The weight of grief bears down on me at the news of the passing of my honoured and cherished friend: Dr Manmohan Singh. Obituaries, essays, and books plenty there will surely be about this great man, celebrating him as the architect of India’s economic reforms. As Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh was the midwife of India’s emergence as one of the world’s economic giants,” he said in a post on X.
King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius foreign minister arrived in India on Saturday to attend former prime minister Manmohan Singh’s funeral in Delhi. Wangchuck laid a wreath on the mortal remains of Singh during his funeral at Nigambodh Ghat.
In a press communique, Mauritius on Saturday announced that its national flag will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to the former Indian PM. India’s relations with several key countries, including Bhutan and Mauritius, saw significant upswing during Singh’s prime ministership.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson also offered sincere condolences to the Indian government and people, as well as to the family of Dr Singh.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Dr Singh was a senior politician and renowned economist in India who made positive contributions to the development of China-India relations.
During his tenure as PM, the two countries announced the establishment of a strategic cooperative partnership aimed at peace and prosperity, and reached an agreement on the political guiding principles for resolving border issues, the Chinese spokesperson said.
Singh, who passed away on Thursday night due to age-related medical conditions, is remembered for his role in shaping India’s modern economic landscape. His legacy includes the economic liberalisation reforms he introduced as Finance Minister in 1991, which opened India’s economy to global markets.
Manmohan Singh was born on September 26, 1932. Apart from being an economist, Manmohan Singh served as the Reserve Bank of India governor from 1982 to 1985. He was the 13th PM of India, with his tenure from 2004-2014.
Agencies