President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday signed the Condolence Book opened at the High Commission of India in the Maldives, following the demise of the former Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh.
Dr Singh, who served two terms and played a pivotal role in liberalising India's economy during his tenure as finance minister, passed away at the age of 92.
In his message, the President stated that Dr Singh was a great statesman and reminisced about the historic visit of Dr Singh to the Maldives in November 2011, which marked a momentous milestone that further cemented the bonds of friendship between India and Maldives.
The message also conveyed sympathies to Dr Singh’s family and the government and people of India, on behalf of the Government and people of the Maldives, during this time of profound loss.
Dr Singh, an economist-turned-politician who also served as the governor of the Central Bank of India, was ailing and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi late on Thursday. His health deteriorated due to "sudden loss of consciousness at home," the hospital stated. He was "being treated for age-related medical conditions," the statement added.
Following Dr Singh’s passing, President Muizzu had paid tribute to the visionary leader in a post shared on his social media platforms.
In his message, President Muizzu highlighted Dr Singh’s commitment to progress, adding that his leadership to strengthen 'Look East Policy' played a pivotal role in fostering development and cooperation across the South Asia region.
A mild-mannered technocrat, Dr Singh emerged as one of India's longest-serving prime ministers, leading the nation from 2004 to 2014. He was widely respected for his great personal integrity. After stepping down from his role as prime minister, Dr Singh maintained a low profile. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
Born in 1932 into a poor family in what is now Pakistan, Dr Singh overcame significant hardships, studying by candlelight to secure a place at Cambridge University. He later attended Oxford, where he earned a doctorate with a thesis on the role of exports and free trade in India's economy. Dr Singh became a respected economist, served as the governor of the Central Bank of India, and worked as a government adviser. Unexpectedly, in 1991, he was appointed as finance minister, marking the start of his political career.
During his tenure from 1991 to 1996, Dr Singh was the architect of reforms that rescued India’s economy from a severe balance of payments crisis. He promoted deregulation and other measures that opened the previously insular country to the world. Dr Singh’s unexpected ascension to prime minister in 2004 further solidified his legacy.
During a period of unprecedented economic growth, Dr Singh’s government distributed the benefits of the country’s newfound wealth by introducing welfare schemes, including a jobs program for the rural poor.
In 2008, his administration secured a landmark agreement that allowed peaceful nuclear energy trade with the United States for the first time in three decades, paving the way for stronger relations between New Delhi and Washington. However, his efforts to further liberalise the Indian economy were often hindered by political infighting within his own party and the demands of coalition partners.