Manmohan Singh, India’s Economic Reformer, Honored with State Funeral

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Manmohan Singh cremation/ India economic reforms/ U.S.-India nuclear deal/ Indian state funeral/ Manmohan Singh tribute/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Manmohan Singh, former Indian Prime Minister and architect of India’s economic reforms, was cremated on Saturday following a state funeral in New Delhi. Leaders from across India and abroad, including President Joe Biden, honored Singh for his contributions, including landmark reforms and a historic U.S.-India nuclear deal.

FILE – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greets the crowd during an election campaign rally at Khumtai, in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, Saturday, March 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath, File)

Manmohan Singh’s Legacy: Quick Looks

State Funeral: Singh cremated in New Delhi with full honors; leaders and public paid tributes.
Economic Reforms: Known for 1991 economic reforms that reshaped India’s economy.
Nuclear Deal: Pioneered the U.S.-India nuclear deal, ending India’s nuclear isolation.
Political Career: Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014; first Sikh in the role.
Tributes: Global leaders, including President Biden, praised Singh’s vision and statesmanship.
Mourning Period: India declared seven days of mourning; flags at half-staff nationwide.

Manmohan Singh, India’s Economic Reformer, Honored with State Funeral

Deep Look

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely celebrated as the architect of India’s transformative economic reforms, was cremated with state honors on Saturday in New Delhi. Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday, leaves behind a legacy defined by economic progress, strategic diplomacy, and personal integrity.

A Nation in Mourning

The day began with Singh’s body being brought to the Congress party headquarters, where leaders, activists, and the public gathered to pay their respects.

The mourners chanted, “Manmohan Singh lives forever,” underscoring his enduring legacy. Abhishek Bishnoi, a Congress party leader, described Singh as a leader whose actions spoke louder than words.

Singh’s final journey to the crematorium was marked by ceremonial drumming and a gun salute. His casket, draped in the Indian tricolor and adorned with flowers, was carried to a pyre as religious hymns played. Indian President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and several Cabinet ministers attended the ceremony.

In tribute to Singh’s contributions, authorities declared a seven-day mourning period, lowering national flags to half-staff and canceling cultural events across the country.

Architect of Economic Reforms

Singh’s political career spanned decades, but he is best remembered for his role in transforming India’s economy. As finance minister in 1991, he introduced sweeping reforms that shifted India from a socialist-style economy to a market-driven model. These changes helped the country avert a severe balance-of-payments crisis and set the stage for decades of economic growth.

Diplomatic Achievements

Singh’s tenure as prime minister, from 2004 to 2014, included major milestones. One of his most notable accomplishments was the U.S.-India nuclear deal, which ended India’s nuclear isolation and secured access to American nuclear technology.

U.S. President Joe Biden praised Singh’s “strategic vision and political courage,” noting that the current U.S.-India partnership owes much to Singh’s efforts.

However, the deal also tested Singh’s political resolve, as Communist allies withdrew their support from his coalition government in protest. Despite criticism, Singh stood firm, finalizing the agreement in 2008.