NEW DELHI: Condolences poured in from around the world after the death of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh late on Thursday.
Describing Dr Singh as an outstanding statesman, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “He accomplished a lot in promoting India’s economic development and asserting its interests on the world stage. He also made a personal contribution to strengthening friendly ties between our two countries.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim paid a heartfelt tribute to Dr Singh, regarding him as “the midwife of India’s emergence as one of the world’s economic giants”.
“Goodbye, my mitra, my bhai, Manmohan,” the post read.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called him “one of the greatest champions of the bilateral strategic partnership”. French President Emmanuel Macron said “India has lost a great man” and France a true friend. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake issued a message of condolence and called the former prime minister “a visionary leader”.
“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,” the message read.
China also paid tributes to Dr Singh, saying that he made a “positive contribution” to the development of India-China relations. Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli said, “I recall our discussions on matters relating to mutual interest between Nepal and India.”
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu said, “Dr Singh’s leadership to strengthen ‘Look East Policy’ played a pivotal role in fostering development across South Asia.”
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Dr Singh was a distinguished economist and political leader.
“His approach to regional issues reflected his belief that mutual understanding, dialogue and cooperation were essential for collective progress,” he added.
Former IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath said, “Dr Singh’s 1991 budget unshackled India’s economy, enhancing the economic prospects for hundreds of millions of Indians. His visionary reforms inspired countless young economists like me.”