The late former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, is recognised as the architect of India’s economic revival. Born on September 26, 1932, in a remote village in Punjab, India, he exhibited exceptional academic skills.
He completed his higher education at Punjab University and later obtained his doctorate from the University of Cambridge in the UK. His doctoral thesis focused on trade and export, significantly emphasising shaping the Indian economy.
After earning his doctorate, Manmohan Singh returned to India, where he was fortunate to hold positions as an economist and eventually as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
A Knowledgeable Economic Advisor
Manmohan Singh entered active politics as an economic advisor to the Indian government, contributing significantly to the local economy. He joined the Indian National Congress party and was appointed Minister of Finance in 1991 when the Indian economy faced a severe crisis.
From then until 1996, he played a crucial role in addressing India’s severe balance-of-payments crisis. By introducing various new initiatives, he contributed to positively transforming India’s economic landscape, and he began to be recognised as the father of India’s economic reform.
The Pivotal Year of 2004
2004 was decisive for Manmohan Singh; in the general elections held that year, the Indian National Congress emerged victorious. However, due to Sonia Gandhi’s Italian citizenship, she could not assume the role of Prime Minister, resulting in Manmohan Singh being appointed Prime Minister.
He served uninterruptedly for two terms from 2004 to 2014 and became known as a soft-spoken and efficient leader. During this period, he achieved remarkable feats, including bringing India out of nuclear isolation and facilitating the acquisition of American nuclear technology, thereby earning a place in Indian history.
The Architect of Economic Reforms
Manmohan Singh served as the Prime Minister of India for the longest period, from 2004 to 2014, and before that as Finance Minister. He is widely regarded as the architect of significant liberal economic reforms. Singh became the first Indian leader to be re-elected for a full term after Jawaharlal Nehru and was also the first Sikh to hold the office.
His Humble Beginnings
Born on September 26, 1932, in a village devoid of basic amenities like water and electricity, few imagined that a leader capable of transforming such an environment would emerge from there.
After enrolling at Punjab University, Manmohan Singh earned his master’s degree from the University of Cambridge and subsequently a doctorate from Oxford University. He eventually entered active politics and became India’s Prime Minister.
The Unexpected Legacy
Manmohan Singh gained significant recognition in 1991 when he was appointed as India’s Finance Minister. His leadership when India was on the brink of bankruptcy solidified his status as a distinguished leader. How he navigated unexpected situations—such as becoming Finance Minister and subsequently Prime Minister—attests to his legacy.
His role as Finance Minister was marked by robust actions. He successfully initiated unprecedented economic reform programs, which included tax cuts, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and attracting foreign investments. These actions were monumental in reviving the struggling economy, leading to industrial growth and effective inflation control.
Indeed, Singh was an individual without a strong political base, which he acknowledged. Upon becoming Prime Minister, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity and recognised the necessity of winning elections in a democratic country.
Although he contested elections for a seat in the Lok Sabha in 1999 and was unsuccessful, he eventually became Prime Minister in 2004. Reports suggest that being a close confidant of Sonia Gandhi contributed to his rise to power, particularly because her Italian origins complicated her ability to ascend to leadership.
Access to American Nuclear Technology
During Singh’s tenure, a significant event was the signing of an important agreement that provided India access to American nuclear technology, which allowed India to emerge from nuclear isolation.
This achievement is one of his most substantial successes during his first term. However, this agreement also led to challenges, as his government faced opposition from Communist allies who withdrew their support.
Singh effectively navigated these challenges by securing support from other political parties, allowing him to maintain a coalition government.
Unity and Wisdom in Victories
Many commentators attribute Singh’s ability to overcome challenges to his unity and wisdom. While he was known as a soft-spoken individual, he expedited the reform process effectively.
In 2009, he successfully led the Congress party to a second decisive election victory. However, his second term was less favourable. It was marred by the emergence of various scandals involving cabinet ministers that affected the government’s credibility and led to significant economic setbacks.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rose with strength during this period, with senior leader L.K. Advani criticising Singh as “the weakest Prime Minister in Indian history.” Nonetheless, Singh maintained his stance, stating his government was committed to the well-being and welfare of the nation and its people.
Pragmatic Foreign Policy
Singh was a leader with a remarkably pragmatic foreign policy approach. He initiated a peace process with Pakistan, taking leadership even in the face of attacks by Pakistani militants. The November 2008 Mumbai attacks significantly set back this peace process.
During his term, Singh worked to open the ancient Nathu La crossroads to Tibet, seeking to resolve long-standing border disputes with China. He also increased financial assistance to Afghanistan. Singh became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Afghanistan in nearly three decades.
Notably, Singh made a controversial decision to sever ties with Iran, which garnered significant criticism.
Facing Legal Challenges
2015 proved to be another crucial period for him, as he faced allegations of conspiracy, breach of trust, and corruption. Singh was required to appear in court to answer these allegations, where he expressed readiness to face judicial scrutiny, asserting that truth would prevail.
Even after stepping down as Prime Minister, Singh did not retreat from public life and continued to contribute to politics as a senior leader of the Congress party. His statements drew considerable attention in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the severe economic downturn and the need for immediate remedial measures. His advice included direct cash assistance to the public, facilitating business loans, and strengthening the financial sector’s stability.
Manmohan Singh’s 2014 reflection that “History will be kinder to me than contemporary media or opposition parties” is a universal truth, emphasising the significance of his contributions to the nation.
