President Muizzu extends condolences following Manmohan’s passing

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Friday, has offered condolences following the passing of former prime minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh's passing.  

He offered the condolences via a post on X in which he underscored Singh’s historic visit to the Maldives in November 2011 marked a significant milestone in advancing economic and social development in the Maldives.

He added that Singh’s unwavering commitment to progress and his leadership in strengthening the ‘Look East Policy,’ played a crucial role in fostering development and cooperation across the South Asian region.

On behalf of Maldivian people and myself, I join the people of India in mourning the passing of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. His historic visit to the Maldives in November 2011 marked a significant milestone in advancing our economic and social development.

Dr.…

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) December 27, 2024

Concluding his tweet, the President offered heartfelt condolences to Singh’s family and the people of India during this time of profound loss.

Singh, the first Sikh in office, passed away after being admitted to a hospital in New Delhi following a sudden loss of consciousness on Thursday. He had already been receiving treatment for age-related health issues.

Singh was born into a poor family in what was then British-ruled India and is now part of Pakistan. He studied by candlelight to secure a spot at Cambridge University before moving on to Oxford, where he earned a doctorate with a thesis on the impact of exports and free trade on India's economy.

He gained recognition as an economist, later serving as India's central bank governor and a government advisor. Though he had no apparent interest in politics, Singh was unexpectedly appointed as finance minister in 1991.

From 1991 to 1996, Singh played a key role in implementing reforms that rescued India's economy from a major balance of payments crisis. He championed deregulation and other policies that opened the previously isolated country to the global market.

Singh’s rise to the position of prime minister in 2004 was even more surprising.

He was invited to take on the role by Sonia Gandhi, who had led the centre-left Indian National Congress party to a surprising victory. Born in Italy, Gandhi was concerned that Hindu-nationalist critics would exploit her foreign roots to undermine the government if she were to assume leadership of the country.

Singh served as one of India's longest-serving prime ministers, holding the position from 2004 to 2014, and earned a reputation for his strong personal integrity.

During his tenure, India’s GDP initially grew rapidly, with a significant milestone being an 8.5 percent expansion.

The later years of Singh’s stint as prime minister were, however, marred by sclerotic growth, a stalling of reforms and allegations of corruption against certain members of the government.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters.