• “Manmohan Singh was an outstanding statesman”: Putin
• “His economic reforms spurred India’s rapid growth, and his legacy will always be remembered” : Blinken

NEW DELHI / NEW YORK (TIP): World leaders came forward to pay glowing tributes to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh with French President calling him “a true friend”, while Russian President Vladimir Putin hailing him as “an outstanding statesman” who made a major personal contribution to strengthening friendly ties between the two countries.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Singh as one of the “greatest champions” of the US-India strategic partnership. Highlighting his pivotal role in advancing the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, Blinken said, “Dr Singh’s work laid the foundation for much of what our countries have accomplished together in the past two decades. His economic reforms spurred India’s rapid growth, and his legacy will always be remembered.”

“At home, Dr Singh will be remembered for his economic reforms that spurred India’s rapid economic growth. We mourn Dr Singh’s passing and will always remember his dedication to bringing the United States and India closer together.” It was during Singh’s term in 2008 that India secured the civil nuclear deal with the US, which enabled the country to fuel its domestic nuclear power plants and gain access to critical technologies, cementing its status as a responsible nuclear weapon state.

The two-time Prime Minister left a strong imprint on India’s external ties, which was recalled by several heads of state in their condolence messages. In a post on X, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences and said: “India has lost a great man, and France a true friend, in the person of Manmohan Singh. He had devoted his life to his country. Our thoughts are with his family and the people of India.”

From Pakistan, where Singh was born in undivided India, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar expressed his condolences: “Saddened by the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India. Born in a village in Pakistan’s Chakwal district, Dr. Singh was a distinguished economist and political leader. He will be remembered for his wisdom and gentle demeanor.”

Beyond his remarkable achievements in the field of economics, Dr. Singh demonstrated a commitment to promoting regional peace, Dar said, adding that Singh’s approach to regional issues reflected his belief that mutual understanding, dialogue and cooperation were essential for collective progress.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim wrote a moving tribute to Manmohan Singh Friday, recalling how the latter even offered scholarships for his children while he was in prison. On X, he described the former prime minister, who died Thursday, as “the midwife of India’s emergence as one of the world’s economic giants”.

During Anwar’s jail term between 1999 and 2004, Singh was Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha. “Dr Manmohan Singh, slightly awkward as a politician but undeniably upright, steadfast and resolute as a statesman, leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come,” he posted, signing it off with “my mitra, my bhai, Manmohan”.

Singh also oversaw India’s ties with Bangladesh improve, as Sheikh Hasina came to power in Dhaka in 2008. In a Facebook post on Friday, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has conveyed his profound grief and deep condolences to PM Narendra Modi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

In his messages, Yunus described Manmohan Singh “as a person of great humility, a visionary leader, a statesman, who was known for his unwavering commitment to ensuring the welfare of the people of India”. He said that Singh’s leadership not only shaped the future of India but also contributed to strengthening the bond of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Bangladesh and India.

Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong posted on X: “Deeply saddened by the passing of former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, an outstanding leader who is widely revered by the Indian people. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”

As per Kremlin, Russian President Putin sent condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi, in which he wrote: “Manmohan Singh was an outstanding statesman. As Prime Minister and when serving in other high-ranking positions, he accomplished a lot in promoting India’s economic development and asserting its interests on the world stage. He also made a major personal contribution to strengthening friendly ties between our two countries by elevating them to the level of a special privileged strategic partnership.”

The European Union also conveyed its condolences, through Ambassador of the EU to India, Hervé Delphin. “On the passing of Manmohan Singh, the EU extends its deepest condolences to his family & the people of India. A genuine friend of the EU, his legacy will endure as a key architect of economic « miracle » & rise on the global stage and as a man of dialogue & compassion,” he said in a post on X.

Singh’s former colleagues, who worked with him during his two terms, also recalled his contributions. Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, in a post on X, expressed deep sorrow over Manmohan Singh’s passing, describing him as “one of India’s most illustrious sons.” Karzai hailed Singh as an “unwavering ally and friend to the people of Afghanistan” and extended his heartfelt condolences. Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressed deep sorrow, calling Singh an individual of “exceptional intelligence, integrity, and wisdom”.

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed described Singh as a benevolent and dependable figure. “I always found him a delight to work with, and like a benevolent father figure. He was a good friend of the Maldives,” Nasheed said in his tribute.