NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh played a pivotal role in placement United States–India relations on a “fundamentally new foundation” with the historic 2008 Civil Nuclear Agreement between the two nations, said former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Singh, who was chief minister for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014, died on Thursday night at AIIMS in New Delhi. He is also remembered as a transformative economist who reshaped the country’s economic and geopolitical trajectory.
Condoleezza Rice paid tribute to Singh in X, calling him “a great man and a great leader.” Reflecting on his leadership during the historic nuclear deal, he said: “Prime Minister Singh risked his political future and then remade his government to gain the support needed to secure a deal that would ultimately change the geopolitical trajectory of the region and have far-reaching consequences. long range. implications for the coming decades. I extend my deepest condolences to the people of India for this great loss; May he rest in eternal peace.”
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi also honored Singh’s memory, saying: “He played a key role in both modernizing India’s economy and strengthening ties with the United States. His vision of a better India and a better world will continue.”
Gita Gopinath, first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, highlighted Singh’s economic legacy. Writing in
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described Singh’s death as a loss to India and the world. “As one of its longest-serving leaders, he transformed the country’s economy, lifted millions of people out of poverty and built strong bridges to the world, including Canada,” Trudeau said.
The United States-India Chamber of Commerce (USAIC) also fondly remembered Singh. USAIC President Karun Rishi recalled receiving Singh’s message of support for his inaugural BioPharma Summit in 2007 and said: “He was a great human being, a visionary, an outstanding leader and a statesman. Dr. Singh set a solid foundation to lead the relationship between the United States and India.” to the next level.”
Ronak D Desai, a senior professional at law firm Paul Hastings, described Singh’s death as “the conclusion of a pivotal chapter in modern Indian history”.
To honor Singh’s memory, the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, announced that a condolence book would be available for public signature on January 30 and 31, 2025.
“The public is invited to sign the book and add brief written condolences between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on January 30 and 31, 2025 at the Embassy of India, 2107 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington DC,” a press release said. .