Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed deep sorrow following the passing of former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who died Thursday night at the age of 92 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. Ibrahim described Singh as both a friend and a pivotal figure in India’s economic transformation.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Ibrahim remembered their shared history and praised Singh for his role in India’s rise as a global economic power. He wrote, “The weight of grief bears down on me at the news of the passing of my honoured and cherished friend: Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Obituaries, essays, and books plenty there will surely be about this great man, celebrating him as the architect of India’s economic reforms. As Prime Minister, Dr. Singh was the midwife of India’s emergence as one of the world’s economic giants.”
Reflecting on their time together as finance ministers in the 1990s, Ibrahim recalled working closely with Singh as both men navigated significant economic reforms in their respective countries.
Ibrahim shared how they collaborated on issues such as combating corruption. He added, “I had the rare privilege of witnessing the early years of these transformative policies first-hand.”
A particularly personal reflection involved Singh’s support during Ibrahim’s imprisonment. “During the years of my incarceration, he extended a kindness that he didn’t have to — one that was neither politically expedient nor, as one can imagine, appreciated by the Malaysian government at that time,” Ibrahim revealed.
Singh had offered scholarships for Ibrahim’s children, a gesture of humanity and generosity that Ibrahim described as “extraordinary.”
Ibrahim also recalled how Singh remained a true friend during his darkest days, supporting him in ways that went beyond political calculations.
“In those dark days, as I navigated the labyrinth of imprisonment, he stood by me as a true friend. Such acts of quiet magnanimity defined him, and they will remain etched in my heart forever.”
Dr. Manmohan Singh, born September 26, 1932, served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014. Prior to his tenure as Prime Minister, Singh also served as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1982 to 1985, playing a key role in shaping India’s economic policies and reforms.
