‘One of the greatest champions of US-India strategic partnership’; US condoles demise of Manmohan Singh

WASHINGTON: The United States condoled the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described him as 'one of the greatest champions of the US-India strategic partnership'.

Manmohan Singh was one of the greatest contributors to the US-India diplomatic partnership. Antony Blinken said that Manmohan Singh laid the foundation for many of the achievements that the two countries have made together over the past two decades. Blinken expressed his condolences on his passing. He also recalled the importance Manmohan Singh gave in advancing the US-India civil nuclear agreement. Blinken said that Manmohan Singh will always be remembered for bringing economic reforms that have stimulated India's rapid economic growth.

Dr Manmohan Singh (92) passed away Thursday night at AIIMS in New Delhi. He was admitted to the emergency ward of AIIMS last night after his health deteriorated. He was the Prime Minister of India for ten consecutive years from May 22, 2004 to May 2014. Singh was the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to return to power after completing five years.

Known as a great economist, Manmohan Singh's liberal economic policies attracted attention. He started his professional career as a teacher. Manmohan Singh is described as the revolutionary finance minister of the Indian economy. Dr Manmohan Singh also held the positions of Governor of the Reserve Bank and Finance Minister in the Narasimha Rao cabinet.