Washington, Dec 28 || US President Joe Biden on Saturday paid heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, describing him as a "true statesman," a "kind and humble person," and a "dedicated public servant."
Dr Singh, who served as India's 14th Prime Minister and was widely regarded as one of the nation's most distinguished economists, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
Acknowledged as the 'Architect of India's economic reforms,' Dr Singh led the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government as Prime Minister for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014, leaving a lasting legacy on India's economic and diplomatic landscape.
In an official statement issued by the White House, President Biden said, "Jill and I join the people of India in grieving the loss of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh."
He emphasised that "the unprecedented level of cooperation between the United States and India today would not have been possible without the Prime Minister's strategic vision and political courage."
President Biden credited Dr Singh for key milestones in Indo-US relations, including the landmark US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement and the establishment of the Quad between Indo-Pacific partners.