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We were saddened to learn of the death of Nuffield Alumnus and Honorary Fellow Dr Manmohan Singh (DPhil Economics, 1960), former Prime Minister of India. A distinguished economist and statesman, Dr Singh made great contributions to India’s economic development and global standing.

Born in 1932 in present-day Pakistan, Dr Singh studied economics at Cambridge, where he was influenced by eminent economists such as Joan Robinson and Nicholas Kaldor, before coming to Nuffield for his DPhil under Ian Little. He then returned to India to pursue an academic career at Panjab University and the Delhi School of Economics.

Dr Singh began his move to politics in the 1970s, quickly attaining several esteemed roles including chief economic advisor in the Ministry of Finance. In 1991 he was appointed Finance Minister by then-Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. During this five-year tenure, Dr Singh spearheaded the reforms that transformed India’s economy, fostering rapid growth and opening it to global markets.

Following six years as the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Singh became India’s Prime Minister in 2004, and went on to be the first to be re-elected after a full term since Nehru in 1962. In this time, he steered India through a period of sustained growth, overseeing the passage of key legislation such as the Right to Information Act and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Internationally, Dr Singh was instrumental in rebuilding India’s diplomatic relationships, particularly with the United States. He negotiated the landmark civil nuclear deal with the US, ending India’s nuclear isolation.

Despite the challenges of leading a coalition government, Dr Singh maintained a reputation for integrity and transparency, which became a hallmark of his political career. Dr Singh’s leadership was also characterised by his nuanced approach to governance, balancing economic reforms with a commitment to social welfare. He was a quiet yet powerful voice in Indian politics, who, despite never winning a direct parliamentary election, became one of the longest-serving and most influential leaders in Indian history.

There is extensive coverage of Dr Singh’s death elsewhere, including BBC News and The Guardian.