Manmohan Singh Passes Away: Former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh on Thursday passed away at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He died hours after he was admitted to the emergency ward of the hospital in a critical condition. He was 92. Manmohan Singh, who remained India's Prime Minister twice from 2004 to 2014, was in a poor health for the last couple of months. Manmohan Singh's last rites will be held with full state honours and national mourning will be observed for the period of seven days, news agency PTI reported.

In its statement, AIIMS Delhi said that Singh suffered a sudden loss of consciousness at his residence today evening, after which he was rushed to the emergency ward. "Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead," the hospital statement said.

"With profound grief, we inform the demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26th December 2024. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi at 8:06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM," Dr Rima Dada Professor In-Charge Media Cell said in a press release.

"The demise of renowned economist and former Prime Minister of the country, respected Manmohan Singh ji is an irreparable loss to Indian politics. May God give peace to the departed soul and strength to his family to bear this sorrow. The Delhi Congress family pays homage to the memories of respected Manmohan ji and expresses gratitude for his contribution to nation building. Om Shanti," Delhi Congress posted on X.

As soon as the news of his passing broke out, political leaders started expressing grief over the loss and mourned the demise of one of India's finest politicians. Condoling his death, PM Modi said that his thoughts are with the family of Dr Manmohan Singh, his friends and countless admirers.

"India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people's lives," he wrote on X.

"Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, his friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti," PM Modi added.

Expressing grief over his demise, Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi said that he has lost his mentor and a guide. "Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family. I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X. 

He was born in 1932 in Gah, which is now in Pakistan. His journey from the modest villages to becoming the prime minister of India is remarkable. With a doctorate in economics from the prestigious Oxford University, Singh is considered to be an all-rounder.

Singh is survived by wife Gurcharan Singh and three daughters. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her mother Sonia Gandhi reached the hospital as soon as the news of his hospitalisation became known.

Singh, who was finance minister under the then prime minister P V Narasimha Rao, was the architect and the brainchild of economic reforms in 1991 that pulled India from the brink of bankruptcy and ushered in an era of economic liberalisation that is widely believed to have changed the course of India's economic trajectory.

Singh died as the Congress party concluded its Congress Working Committee meeting at Belagavi in Karnataka, where all top party leaders were present. It is believed that party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are on their way to Delhi from Belagavi.