India’s 13th prime minister and a key architect of the country’s economic liberalisation, Manmohan Singh, died on Thursday at the age of 92.
He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi following a health emergency at his residence. Doctors confirmed his death late Thursday evening.
Born in Gah, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Singh held significant roles in Indian public life, including as finance minister, where he introduced reforms in 1991 that opened the Indian economy to global markets. A former economist with a doctorate from Oxford University, Singh also served as governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
Singh became prime minister in 2004, leading the nation for a decade. During his tenure, his government oversaw a civil nuclear agreement with the US in 2008 and other significant initiatives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on social media, saying:
“India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives.”
Singh is survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and their three daughters.
