Manmohan Singh[a] (26 September 1932 – 26 December 2024) was an Indian politician, economist, academic, and bureaucrat, who served as the 13th prime minister of India from 2004 to 2014. He was the fourth longest-serving prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi.[1] A member of the Indian National Congress, Singh was the first Sikh prime minister of India.[2] He was also the first prime minister since Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term.[3][4]
Singh was born to Gurmukh Singh Kohli and Amrit Kaur on 26 September 1932, in Gah, Punjab, British India, into a family of Punjabi Sikh dried fruit traders of Khatri background.[12][13] His mother died when he was very young.[14][15] He was raised by his paternal grandmother Jamna Devi, with whom he was very close.[12][15]
Singh was initially educated at a local gurdwara, where he began studying Urdu and Punjabi.[16] On 17 April 1937, he was enrolled in the local Government Primary School, where he continued his Urdu-medium education until the age of 10 (Class 4), after which he and his family moved to Peshawar.[12][16][17] There, Singh was enrolled in the upper-primary Khalsa School.[16] He sat for his matriculation examination in the summer of 1947.[12] Even as prime minister years later, Singh wrote his apparently Hindi speeches in the Urdu script, although sometimes he would also use Gurmukhi, a script used to write Punjabi, his mother tongue.[18]
In a 2005 interview with the British journalist Mark Tully, Singh said about his Cambridge days:
I first became conscious of the creative role of politics in shaping human affairs, and I owe that mostly to my teachers Joan Robinson and Nicholas Kaldor. Joan Robinson was a brilliant teacher, but she also sought to awaken the inner conscience of her students in a manner that very few others were able to achieve. She questioned me a great deal and made me think the unthinkable. She propounded the left wing interpretation of Keynes, maintaining that the state has to play more of a role if you really want to combine development with social equity. Kaldor influenced me even more; I found him pragmatic, scintillating, stimulating. Joan Robinson was a great admirer of what was going on in China, but Kaldor used the Keynesian analysis to demonstrate that capitalism could be made to work.[24]
After Cambridge, Singh returned to India and served as a teacher at Panjab University.[25] In 1960, he went to the University of Oxford for his DPhil, where he was a member of Nuffield College. His 1962 doctoral thesis under the supervision of Ian Little was titled "India's export performance, 1951–1960, export prospects and policy implications", and was later the basis for his book "India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth".[26]
After completing his D.Phil., Singh returned to India. He was a senior lecturer of economics at Panjab University from 1957 to 1959. During 1959 and 1963, he served as a reader in economics at Panjab University, and from 1963 to 1965, he was an economics professor there.[27] Then he went to work for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) from 1966 to 1969.[23] Later, he was appointed as an advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Trade by Lalit Narayan Mishra, in recognition of Singh's talent as an economist.[28]
In 1972, Singh was chief economic adviser in the Ministry of Finance, and in 1976 he was secretary in the Finance Ministry.[23] In 1980–1982 he was at the Planning Commission, and in 1982, he was appointed governor of the Reserve Bank of India under then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and held the post until 1985.[23] He went on to become the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission (India) from 1985 to 1987.[13] Following his tenure at the Planning Commission, he was secretary general of the South Commission, an independent economic policy think tank headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland from 1987 to November 1990.[30]
Singh returned to India from Geneva in November 1990 and held the post as the advisor to Prime Minister of India on economic affairs during the tenure of Chandra Shekar.[23] In March 1991, he became chairman of the University Grants Commission.[23]
Political career
In June 1991, India's prime minister at the time, P. V. Narasimha Rao, chose Singh to be his finance minister. Singh told Mark Tully, a British journalist, in 2005:
On the day (Rao) was formulating his cabinet, he sent his Principal Secretary to me saying, "The PM would like you to become the Minister of Finance". I didn't take it seriously. He eventually tracked me down the next morning, rather angry, and demanded that I get dressed up and come to Rashtrapati Bhavan for the swearing in. So that's how I started in politics[.][25]
Minister of Finance (1991–1996)
In 1991, India's fiscal deficit was close to 8.5 per cent of the gross domestic product, the balance of payments deficit was huge and the current account deficit was close to 3.5 per cent of India's GDP.[31] India's foreign reserves barely amounted to US$1billion, enough to pay for 2 weeks of imports,[32] in comparison to US$600 billion in 2009.[33]
Singh explained to the PM and the party that India is facing an unprecedented crisis.[32] However the rank and file of the party resisted deregulation.[32] So P. Chidambaram and Singh explained to the party that the economy would collapse if it was not deregulated.[32] To the dismay of the party, Rao allowed Singh to deregulate the Indian economy.[32]
Subsequently, Singh, who had thus far been one of the most influential architects of India's socialist economy, eliminated the permit raj,[32] reduced state control of the economy, and reduced import taxes[31][34] Rao and Singh thus implemented policies to open up the economy and change India's socialist economy to a more capitalistic one, in the process dismantling the License Raj, a system that inhibited the prosperity of private businesses. They removed many obstacles standing in the way of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and initiated the process of the privatisation of public sector companies. However, in spite of these reforms, Rao's government was voted out in 1996 due to non-performance of government in other areas. In praise of Singh's work that pushed India towards a market economy, long-time Cabinet minister P. Chidambaram has compared Singh's role in India's reforms to Deng Xiaoping's in China.[35]
In 1993, Singh offered his resignation from the post of Finance Minister after a parliamentary investigation report criticised his ministry for not being able to anticipate a US$1.8billion 1992 securities scandal. Prime Minister Rao refused Singh's resignation, instead promising to punish the individuals directly accused in the report.[36]
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha (1998–2004)
Singh was first elected to the upper house of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha, in 1991[37]by the legislature of the state of Assam, and was re-elected in 1995, 2001, 2007[13] and 2013.[38] From 1998 to 2004, while the Bharatiya Janata Party was in power, Singh was the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. In 1999, he contested for the Lok Sabha from South Delhi but was unable to win the seat.[39]
11th President of IndiaA. P. J. Abdul Kalam authorising the Prime Minister designate Manmohan Singh to form the next Government in New Delhi on 19 May 2004
After the 2004 general elections, the Indian National Congress ended the incumbent National Democratic Alliance (NDA) tenure by becoming the political party with the single largest number of seats in the Lok Sabha. It formed United Progressive Alliance (UPA) with allies and staked claim to form government. In a surprise move, Chairperson Sonia Gandhi declared Manmohan Singh, a technocrat, as the UPA candidate for the prime ministership. Despite the fact that Singh had never won a direct popular election, according to the BBC, he "enjoyed massive popular support, not least because he was seen by many as a clean politician untouched by the taint of corruption that has run through many Indian administrations."[40] He took the oath as the Prime Minister of India on 22 May 2004.[41][42]
Economic policy
In 1991, Singh, as Finance Minister, abolished the Licence Raj, source of slow economic growth and corruption in the Indian economy for decades. He liberalised the Indian economy, allowing it to speed up development dramatically. During his term as prime minister, Singh continued to encourage growth in the Indian market, enjoying widespread success in these matters. Singh, along with his finance minister, P. Chidambaram, presided over a period where the Indian economy grew with an 8–9% economic growth rate. In 2007, India achieved its highest GDP growth rate of 9% and became the second fastest growing major economy in the world.[43][44] Singh's ministry enacted a National Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2005.[45]
Singh's government continued the Golden Quadrilateral and the highway modernisation program that was initiated by Vajpayee's government.[46] Singh also worked on reforming the banking and financial sectors, as well as public sector companies.[47] The Finance ministry worked towards relieving farmers of their debt and worked towards pro-industry policies.[48] In 2005, Singh's government introduced the value added tax, replacing sales tax. In 2007 and early 2008, the global problem of inflation impacted India.[49]
Healthcare and education
In 2005, Prime Minister Singh and his government's health ministry started the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM), which mobilised half a million community health workers. This rural health initiative was praised by the American economist Jeffrey Sachs.[50] In 2006, his Government implemented the proposal to reserve 27% of seats in All India Institute of Medical Studies (AIIMS), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other central institutions of higher education for Other Backward Classes which led to 2006 Indian anti-reservation protests.[51][52][53]
Singh with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in August 2008
Singh's administration initiated a massive reconstruction effort in Kashmir to stabilise the region but after some period of success, insurgent infiltration and terrorism in Kashmir has increased since 2009.[58] The Singh administration was, however, successful in reducing terrorism in Northeast India.[58]
The important National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act were passed by the Parliament in 2005 during his tenure. While the effectiveness of the NREGA has been successful at various degrees, in various regions, the RTI act has proved crucial in India's fight against corruption.[60] New cash benefits were also introduced for widows, pregnant women, and landless persons.[61][62]
Manmohan Singh continued the pragmatic foreign policy that was started by P.V. Narasimha Rao and continued by Bharatiya Janata Party's Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Singh continued the peace process with Pakistan initiated by his predecessor, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Exchange of high-level visits by top leaders from both countries have highlighted his tenure. Efforts have been made during Singh's tenure to end the border dispute with People's Republic of China. In November 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao visited India which was followed by Singh's visit to Beijing in January 2008. A major development in Sino-Indian relations was the reopening of the Nathula Pass in 2006 after being closed for more than four decades.[71]Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Li Keqiang paid a state visit to India (Delhi-Mumbai) from 19 to 21 May 2013.[71] Singh paid an official visit to China from 22 to 24 October 2013.[71] Three agreements were signed establishing sister-city partnership between Delhi-Beijing, Kolkata-Kunming and Bangalore-Chengdu. As of 2010, the People's Republic of China was the second biggest trade partner of India.[72]
Relations with Afghanistan have improved considerably, with India now becoming the largest regional donor to Afghanistan.[73] During Afghan President Hamid Karzai's visit to New Delhi in August 2008, Manmohan Singh increased the aid package to Afghanistan for the development of more schools, health clinics, infrastructure, and defence.[74] Under the leadership of Singh, India emerged as one of the single largest aid donors to Afghanistan.[74]
Singh's government worked towards stronger ties with the United States. He visited the United States in July 2005 initiating negotiations over the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement. This was followed by George W. Bush's successful visit to India in March 2006, during which the declaration over the nuclear agreement was made, giving India access to American nuclear fuel and technology while India will have to allow IAEA inspection of its civil nuclear reactors. After more than two years for more negotiations, followed by approval from the IAEA, Nuclear Suppliers Group and the US Congress, India and the US signed the agreement on 10 October 2008 with Pranab Mukherjee representing India.[75] Singh had the first official state visit to the White House during the administration of US President Barack Obama. The visit took place in November 2009, and several discussions took place, including on trade and nuclear power.[76]
Relations improved with Japan and European Union countries, like the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Relations with Iran continued and negotiations over the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline have taken place. New Delhi hosted an India–Africa Summit in April 2006 which was attended by the leaders of 15 African states.[77] Relations have improved with other developing countries, particularly Brazil and South Africa. Singh carried forward the momentum which was established after the "Brasilia Declaration" in 2003 and the IBSA Dialogue Forum was formed.[78]
Singh's government has also been especially keen on expanding ties with Israel. Since 2003, the two countries have made significant investments in each other[79] and Israel now rivals Russia to become India's largest defence partner.[80] Though there have been a few diplomatic glitches between India and Russia, especially over the delay and price hike of several Russian weapons to be delivered to India,[81] relations between the two remained strong with India and Russia signing various agreements to increase defence, nuclear energy and space co-operation.[82]
In 2009, Singh was among the leaders who laid the foundation of the BRICS. The establishment of the group is often described as a display of emergent economic power.[6]
Singh criticised the West for the use of force to enforce regime change in Syria and Libya during his speech at the UN in September 2011.[85] India was silent over the killing of Gaddafi.[86][87] Although India was among the last few countries to recognise the Libyan National Transitional Council, it agreed to work with the Council to help rebuild Libya.[88] India resent an ambassador to Tripoli in July 2012 having shut its mission in Tripoli in 2011.[89]
On 22 May 2009, Manmohan Singh was sworn in as the prime minister during a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.[92][93]
In his second term, Singh's government was involved in political scandals such as the 2G spectrum case and the Commonwealth Games scandal.[94][95][96][97][98] Singh declined to appear before a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in April 2013 when called upon by one of the members of JPC Yashwant Sinha for his alleged involvement in the 2G case.[99] In 2017, all of the accused were acquitted in the 2G case.[100] Following this verdict, the Congress stated the "BJP has been exposed for its untruth and propaganda against Congress," and urged Narendra Modi and Arun Jaitley "to apologise to the nation".[101]
Following the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder, Singh appealed for calm, stressing that "violence will serve no purpose".[102] In a televised address, he assured that all possible efforts would be made to ensure the safety of women in India. Singh expressed empathy, saying: "As a father of three daughters I feel as strongly about the incident as each one of you".[102] As a tribute to the victim, the prime minister cancelled all his official events to celebrate the new year.[103]
The 2012 report filed by the CAG in Parliament of India states that due to the allocation of coal blocks to certain private companies without bidding process the nation suffered an estimated loss of Rs 1.85trillion (short scale) between 2005 and 2009 in which Manmohan Singh was the coal minister of India.[104][105]
Singh's government had an approval rating of 30% by 2013.[106]
In 2016, it was announced that Singh was to take up a position at Panjab University as the Jawaharlal Nehru Chair, which he eventually did not.[110] He was elected as the Rajya Sabha MP for Rajasthan in 2019, succeeding BJP MP Madan Lal Saini. Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha in April 2024 and was succeeded by Sonia Gandhi.[111]
Public image and legacy
The Independent described Singh as "one of the world's most revered leaders" and "a man of uncommon decency and grace", noting that he drives a Maruti 800, one of the humblest cars in the Indian market. Khushwant Singh lauded Singh as the best prime minister India has had, even rating him higher than Jawaharlal Nehru. He mentions an incident in his book Absolute Khushwant: The Low-Down on Life, Death and Most things In-between where after losing the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, Singh immediately returned the ₹2 lakh (US$2,300) he had borrowed from the writer for hiring taxis. Terming him as the best example of integrity, Khushwant Singh stated, "When people talk of integrity, I say the best example is the man who occupies the country's highest office."[112]
In 2010, Newsweek magazine recognised him as a world leader who is respected by other heads of state, describing him as "the leader other leaders love." The article quoted Mohamed ElBaradei, who remarked that Singh is "the model of what a political leader should be."[113] Singh also received the World Statesman Award in 2010. Henry Kissinger described Singh as "a statesman with vision, persistence and integrity", and praised him for his "leadership, which has been instrumental in the economic transformation underway in India."[114]
Singh was ranked 18 on the 2010 Forbes list of the World's Most Powerful People.[115]Forbes magazine described Singh as being "universally praised as India's best prime minister since Nehru".[116] Australian journalist Greg Sheridan praised Singh "as one of the greatest statesmen in Asian history."[117] Singh was later ranked 19 and 28 in 2012 and 2013 in the Forbes list.[118][119][120]Time magazine described Singh as "guiding India into the ranks of the great powers".[121]
Conversely, Time magazine's Asia edition for 10–17 July 2012, on its cover remarked that Singh was an "underachiever".[122] It stated that Singh appears "unwilling to stick his neck out" on reforms that will put the country back onto a growth path. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari rebutted the charges. UPA ally Lalu Prasad Yadav took issue with the magazine's statements. Praising the government, Prasad said UPA projects [were] doing well and asked, "What will America say as their own economy is shattered?".[123] Additionally, Singh faced negative reception following the 2008 Mumbai attacks for falling short on enhancing national security.[124]
In his 2020 memoir A Promised Land, former U.S. President Barack Obama called Singh "Wise, thoughtful, and scrupulously honest".[125]
Political opponents, including BJP co-founder L. K. Advani, have claimed that Singh is a "weak" prime minister. Advani declared "He is weak. What do I call a person who can't take his decisions until 10 Janpath gives instruction."[126][127][128]Arvind Kejriwal in 2018 said the people are "missing an educated PM like Dr Manmohan Singh".[129] In 2022, Union Transport Minister of Modi Government, Nitin Gadkari said the "country is indebted to Manmohan Singh for the liberalisation that gave a new direction".[130]
In 2013, BJP leader Narendra Modi had termed Singh as "night watchman" and a "puppet of the Gandhi family".[131] On 8 February 2024, Modi praised Manmohan Singh stating,[132]
Ideological differences are short lived, but the way Manmohan Singh has guided this House and the country for such a long period, he will be remembered for his contributions during every discussion on our democracy.
Modi also recalled when Singh arrived at the Parliament in a wheelchair to cast his vote over a key legislation.[132]
Singh underwent multiple cardiac bypass surgeries, the last of which took place in January 2009.[145] In May 2020, Singh was hospitalised at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) due to a negative reaction from his medication.[146] In April 2021, Singh was hospitalised after testing positive for COVID-19.[147] In October 2021, Singh was hospitalised again at the AIIMS after experiencing weakness and fever.[148]
On 26 December 2024, Singh collapsed at his home in New Delhi and was admitted to the emergency department of AIIMS Delhi.[149][150] Singh died a few hours after his hospitalisation at the age of 92.[151][133][152] The government subsequently announced a period of national mourning until 1 January 2025[153][154] and accorded Singh a state funeral at his cremation at Nigam Bodh Ghat, New Delhi on 28 December.[3]
Pradhanmantri (lit.'Prime Minister'), a 2013 Indian documentary television series which aired on ABP News and covers the various policies and political tenures of Indian PMs, includes the tenure of Manmohan Singh in the episodes "Story of Sonia Gandhi and UPA-I Government", and "Scams in UPA government and anti-corruption movement".[158]
^ abcdJose, Vinod K. (1 October 2011). "Manmohan Singh at the centre of the storm". The Caravan. Retrieved 26 December 2024. Singh was born in 1932 in a village called Gah, about 60 km south of what is now Islamabad; his family were Punjabi traders of the Khatri caste. His father, Gurmukh Singh Kohli, was a small-time dry fruits trader who bought wholesale stock from Afghanistan and resold it in smaller towns in the Punjab. Singh's mother, Amrit Kaur, died when he was only five months old, and he was raised largely by his paternal grandmother, Jamna Devi.
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