Washington/New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in the US, expressed grief at the passing away of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and said he was immensely privileged to work closely with him.
In a post on X, the EAM said that while former PM Manmohan Singh was known as an architect of Indian economic reforms he was equally responsible for the strategic corrections to India’s foreign policy.
“Deeply grieved at the passing away of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today.
“While regarded as the architect of Indian economic reforms, he was equally responsible for the strategic corrections to our foreign policy.
“Was immensely privileged to work closely with him. Will always remember his kindness and courtesy.
“My deepest condolences to his family. Om Shanti.”
Former PM Manmohan Singh kept the foreign ministry portfolio between November, 2005 and October 2006.
The most remarkable feature of his foreign policy was a successful India-US civil nuclear cooperation agreement. The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation Initiative was started in 2005. In November 2006, when Chinese President Hu Jintao visited India, a “ten pronged strategy” was proposed to improve the relations between the two countries. A major development in that year was the reopening of Nathula Pass (In Sikkim) for trade after remaining closed for four decades.
