Putin pays tribute to ex-Indian prime minister 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In a message published on the Kremlin’s website on Friday, the Russian leader hailed Singh as “an outstanding statesman.”  

“During his time as head of government and in other high positions, he did much for India’s economic development and promotion of its interests on the global stage,” Putin said. “He also made a significant personal contribution to strengthening friendly relations between our countries and elevating them to a level of particularly privileged strategic partnership.”  

Putin requested that his sincere sympathies and support be conveyed to Singh’s family and to all the people of India. “I had the opportunity to communicate with this remarkable person several times. We will always cherish the brightest memories of him,” the Russian president added. 

Singh passed away on Thursday at the age of 92. He had been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi for emergency treatment after experiencing a “sudden loss of consciousness” at home, according to a hospital statement. It noted that he had been receiving care for age-related medical conditions.   

Singh was a member of India’s oldest political party, the Indian National Congress, and served two consecutive terms as prime minister from 2004 to 2014. During his time in office, he directed the country through extensive reforms and set the stage for its rise as a global economic powerhouse. 

Putin and Singh met multiple times in Delhi and Moscow as well as at international forums. In one interview, Singh expressed his love for the Russian people and their rich culture. As prime minister, Singh encouraged the development of friendly relations with Russia in the spirit of strategic partnership, supported the implementation of joint projects and initiatives, including in military-technical cooperation and nuclear energy, and placed great importance on BRICS. 

In 2012, Singh was conferred an honorary doctorate by the Moscow Institute of International Relations. Delivering a talk to mark the occasion, he highlighted that since India’s independence in 1947, the two nations have forged a robust relationship and India has greatly benefited from Russian support across various sectors, including heavy industry, power, space exploration, and defense. 

“Most importantly, Russia has stood by India at moments of great international challenge, when our own resources were limited and our friends were few. Beyond all the assistance that we have received, it is this last fact that Indians will never forget. And it is for these reasons that the people of India regard Russian friendship and support as something particularly precious,” Singh said.