Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid tribute to India’s former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday in New Delhi at the age of 92. In a heartfelt post on X, Harper described Singh as a leader of “exceptional intelligence, integrity, and wisdom.”
“I am saddened to learn of the passing of my former colleague, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He was an individual of exceptional intelligence, integrity, and wisdom. Laureen and I wish to convey our condolences to all his family and friends,” Harper wrote.
Dr. Singh passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after a sudden loss of consciousness at his residence. Despite resuscitative efforts, he was declared dead at 9:51 PM, according to an official statement from AIIMS. He had been suffering from age-related health issues.
Tributes have poured in from global leaders. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also extended his condolences, emphasizing Singh’s pivotal role in strengthening the India-U.S. partnership. “Dr. Singh was one of the greatest champions of the U.S.-India strategic partnership, and his work laid the foundation for much of what our countries have accomplished together in the past two decades,” Blinken said.
He highlighted Singh’s leadership in advancing the landmark U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement and his contributions to India’s economic reforms.
Born in Punjab in 1932, Dr. Manmohan Singh was a renowned economist and statesman. He served as India’s 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, leading the nation through a decade of significant economic and geopolitical transformations.
Singh retired from public life earlier this year, concluding an unprecedented 33-year tenure in the Rajya Sabha.
(Inputs from ANI)