Washington DC [US]: Atul Keshap, American diplomat and President of the US-India Business Council (USIBC), expressed heartfelt condolences on the passing of former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and to the people of India on his passing.
— Atul Keshap🇺🇸 (@USAmbKeshap) December 26, 2024
Prime Minister Singh played a key role in elevating U.S. – India ties and modernizing the relationship, and embarking both democracies on a steady path of strategic,… pic.twitter.com/wJzNGePh57
In his tribute on X, Keshap lauded Dr. Singh as the architect of the modern bilateral relationship between India and the United States, highlighting his pivotal role in strengthening strategic and economic ties.
“Heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and to the people of India on his passing. Prime Minister Singh played a key role in elevating U.S.-India ties, modernizing the relationship, and embarking both democracies on a steady path of strategic, economic, and technological convergence,” Keshap wrote.
He further emphasized Dr. Singh’s instrumental leadership in achieving the historic Civil Nuclear Agreement.
“Through his sustained leadership in achieving the transformative agreement on civilian nuclear energy cooperation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was rightly regarded as an architect of the modern bilateral relationship. He will be remembered by many in America with honor and fondness for his gentle and clear leadership. May his noble soul rest in peace,” Keshap added.
During Dr. Singh’s tenure, the Civil Nuclear Deal became a hallmark of India-US relations. As per the US Department of State, the US-India Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation (commonly referred to as the “123 Agreement”) was approved by the US Congress on October 1, 2008, after a three-year diplomatic effort. The deal facilitated trade and investment opportunities for the US economy and enabled India to address its growing energy demands in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday evening due to age-related medical conditions, according to AIIMS, New Delhi.
Leaders from across India, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, along with the opposition and global leaders, expressed condolences on his passing.
Manmohan Singh, born in Punjab in 1932, served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014. Known for his statesmanship and economic reforms, his leadership contributed to shaping modern India’s global outlook.