Manmohan Singh reshaped and liberalised India’s economy: PM Wong
India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh addresses a press conference in New Delhi, India, on Jan 3, 2014. (File photo: AP via Pool/Harish Tyagi)
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SINGAPORE: Former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh had reshaped the country's economy and set the stage for its remarkable growth, said Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as he expressed his condolences.
Dr Singh died on Thursday at the age of 92. He was the first Sikh to lead India, and was prime minister for two terms from 2004 to 2014.
"Dr Singh was a statesman who reshaped and liberalised India’s economy through his vision and determination. This set the stage for India’s remarkable growth and emergence as a key regional and global player," Mr Wong said in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (Dec 28).
Mr Wong added that Singapore-India relations grew significantly under Dr Singh, noting that the landmark Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) was signed during his tenure.
"It was a milestone in our relations and laid the foundation for the strong economic partnership we enjoy today," Mr Wong wrote.
He also said Dr Singh played an important role in strengthening India’s engagement with ASEAN. Under his leadership, India joined the East Asia Summit in 2005 and actively supported ASEAN’s efforts in building a stronger regional architecture.
"Our thoughts are with the people of India during this period of grief," Mr Wong said.
India has declared seven days of state mourning. On Saturday, it accorded Dr Singh a state funeral with military honours, complete with a gun salute.
Dr Singh is credited with steering India to unprecedented economic growth and lifting hundreds of millions out of dire poverty.
During his first term in office, he guided the economy through a period of 9 per cent growth and sealed a landmark nuclear deal with the US that he said would help India meet its growing energy needs.
He was called one of India’s "most distinguished leaders" by Mr Modi.
Expressing his condolences, Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was saddened to learn of Dr Singh's passing.
Mr Lee said he and Dr Singh knew each other as ministers of finance before becoming prime ministers.
"An economist by training, Dr Singh was the architect of reforms that helped transform India into a major economic power. He liberalised and opened up the Indian economy as finance minister, and continued with further reforms upon becoming PM in 2004, resulting in a period of unprecedented economic growth which lifted millions of people out of poverty," Mr Lee wrote on Facebook.
"Dr Singh served his country with humility and integrity. I extend my deepest condolences to Dr Singh’s family and the people of India."
