Washington: US President Joe Biden on Saturday paid heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, describing him as a “true statesman,” a “sort and humble individual,” and a “devoted public servant.”
Dr Singh, who served as India’s 14th Prime Minister and was extensively considered one of many nation’s most distinguished economists, handed away on Thursday night time on the age of 92 on the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
Acknowledged because the ‘Architect of India’s financial reforms,’ Dr Singh led the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) authorities as Prime Minister for 2 consecutive phrases from 2004 to 2014, leaving a long-lasting legacy on India’s financial and diplomatic panorama.
In an official assertion issued by the White Home, President Biden mentioned, “Jill and I be part of the individuals of India in grieving the lack of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.”
He emphasised that “the unprecedented stage of cooperation between the US and India at present wouldn’t have been attainable with out the Prime Minister’s strategic imaginative and prescient and political braveness.”
President Biden credited Dr Singh for key milestones in Indo-US relations, together with the landmark US-India Civil Nuclear Settlement and the institution of the Quad between Indo-Pacific companions.
He added that Dr Singh charted pathbreaking progress that can proceed to strengthen our nations and the world for generations to return.
“He was a real statesman. A devoted public servant. And above all, he was a sort and humble individual,” Biden said.
Recalling his private interactions with Dr Singh, Biden talked about their conferences throughout his tenure as Chairman of the Senate International Relations Committee in 2008 and as Vice President throughout Dr Singh’s official go to to the US in 2009.
“He additionally graciously hosted me in New Delhi in 2013,” Biden mentioned, noting their shared perception within the US-India relationship as one of the vital consequential on this planet.
Expressing his condolences, Biden added, “Throughout this tough time, we recommit to this imaginative and prescient to which Prime Minister Singh devoted his life. Jill and I ship our deepest condolences to former First Woman Gursharan Kaur, their three kids, and all of the individuals of India.”
Earlier on Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had additionally expressed his sorrow, calling Dr Singh “one of many biggest champions of the US-India strategic partnership.”
Blinken highlighted Dr Singh’s pivotal position in advancing the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Settlement and his contribution to India’s speedy financial progress.
“The USA gives our honest condolences to the individuals of India for the passing of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh,” Blinken said, including, “We mourn Dr Singh’s passing and can at all times keep in mind his dedication to bringing the US and India nearer collectively.”
