Manmohan Singh: The "Accidental PM"

Former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92, as confirmed by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. He suddenly collapsed at home and was rushed to the emergency department in critical condition.
Manmohan Singh served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 having also held the position of Finance Minister earlier. He is widely credited for initiating significant economic reforms in India, including tax reductions, currency devaluation, and privatization of state-owned enterprises. His reforms helped drive industrial growth, control inflation, and maintain high growth rates during the 1990s. He is also remembered for his role in India’s historic nuclear deal with the United States, which granted India access to nuclear technology.
Born in 1932 in Punjab (now Pakistan), Manmohan Singh studied at Punjab University, Cambridge, and Oxford. He faced financial challenges while studying abroad, leading a life of simplicity. His rise in politics was unexpected, as he had limited political experience. However, in 2004, he became Prime Minister after Sonia Gandhi declined the position. His tenure faced criticism for several corruption scandals, leading to Congress's defeat in the 2014 elections.

Despite challenges, Manmohan Singh was known for his calm demeanor, pragmatic foreign policy, and ability to navigate coalition politics. He managed relations with Pakistan and China, promoted economic aid to Afghanistan, and advocated for a shift in India's ties with Iran. Throughout his career, he maintained a simple, reserved lifestyle, focusing on service rather than personal glory.
Manmohan Singh is remembered for leading India out of economic and nuclear isolation and will be remembered as a leader who prioritized economic progress. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.