Navin Ramgoolam Pays Tribute to Manmohan Singh, India’s Former PM

Navin Ramgoolam, the Prime Minister of Mauritius, expressed his profound sadness upon learning of the passing of Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India. In an official statement, Ramgoolam praised Singh as a “refined politician and eminent economist” who significantly transformed India’s economic landscape.

“His humility, integrity, and calm demeanor will be remembered forever,” he stated, extending his condolences to Singh’s family on behalf of the Mauritian people and government.

Manmohan Singh was no stranger to Mauritius. In 2005, during his tenure as Prime Minister of India, he visited the island to finalize several agreements, including aid packages aimed at supporting Mauritius.

His trip included the inauguration of the Cybertour I, located in the heart of the Cybercity in Ébène, on April 1, 2005.

At that time, Paul Bérenger served as Prime Minister, while Sir Anerood Jugnauth held the presidency of the Republic.

This landmark building, ymbolizing the Cybercity, was constructed with financing from an Indian credit line.

From February 6 to 9, 2012, Navin Ramgoolam, then Prime Minister, made a state visit to India where he held two meetings with Manmohan Singh.

During these discussions, the Indian Prime Minister announced a package of economic assistance, which included a credit line of $250 million and a grant of $20 million.

Manmohan Singh, who led India from 2004 to 2014, passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 92 after collapsing at his home.

The news was confirmed by the Indian Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.

In honor of Singh’s legacy as a prominent figure in Indian politics and economics, the Indian government declared a national period of mourning lasting seven days.

Throughout this mourning period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast across India, and national funeral arrangements are being made, although the exact date is yet to be confirmed.

According to a senior Congress party official, the funeral may take place on Saturday, January 4th.

Born in 1932 in Gah, now in Pakistan, Manmohan Singh emerged as a key player in India’s economic transformation.

He earned degrees in economics from Cambridge and Oxford universities and began his career as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.

Called upon in 1991 to address India’s worst-ever financial crisis, he implemented reforms that opened the Indian economy to global markets.

Notably, Singh was the first Indian Prime Minister to assume office without a prior electoral mandate and oversaw an economic boom during his first term, with growth rates reaching 9% per annum.

He was also instrumental in facilitating a groundbreaking nuclear agreement with the United States to meet India’s growing energy demands.

Known as “Mr. Clean” for his integrity, Manmohan Singh believed that his legacy would ultimately be better understood by posterity than by his contemporaries.

After leaving office, he withdrew from public life but did not shy away from critiquing the economic policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as the rising communal tensions that he viewed as a “threat to Indian democracy.”

Navin Ramgoolam Signs Condolence Book in Memory of Manmohan Singh

On Friday, December 27, Prime Minister Ramgoolam signed a condolence book dedicated to Dr. Manmohan Singh at the Indian High Commission in Ébène.

He highlighted the special connection he shared with the Indian leader.

“This is a sad day for both India and Mauritius,” Ramgoolam remarked, recalling how he first met Singh during two pivotal moments in his political career:

“First, when he was the leader of the opposition, and later when he was head of government.”

Beyond their personal relationship, Ramgoolam emphasized the significant gestures Singh made toward Mauritius.

“He had agreed to maintain the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, which, unfortunately, was later altered,” he lamented.

He also noted, “He intervened with Mangalore Refinery to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products at reasonable prices, but that agreement also fell apart later.”

Ramgoolam concluded by remembering Singh as someone who was genuinely close to Mauritius.

Source: Defi Media