Obama, world leaders recall Manmohan Singh's impact in their memoirs

World leaders, from former U.S. President Barack Obama to ex-German Chancellor Angela Merkel, have shared their thoughts on their interactions with India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in their memoirs, remembering his significant role in shaping India’s modern economy and his personal influence.

Barack Obama, in his memoir A Promised Land, credited Singh with modernising India’s economy through the landmark 1991 liberalisation efforts, which set the stage for India’s transition to a more market-based economy. Obama described Singh as a "gentle, soft-spoken economist" whose physical appearance, marked by a white beard and turban, evoked an air of wisdom in the Western world.

Obama acknowledged Singh’s crucial role in lifting millions of Indians out of poverty, particularly during his tenure as Finance Minister in the 1990s, when the country experienced rapid economic growth, a flourishing tech sector, and the rise of a burgeoning middle class.

Obama praised Singh’s leadership style, noting his wisdom, honesty, and dedication to improving living standards without resorting to populist appeals. Reflecting on their personal relationship, Obama recalled how their collaboration led to strengthened U.S.-India cooperation on key issues, including counterterrorism, global health, nuclear security, and trade.

Angela Merkel, in her memoir Freedom: Memoirs (1954-2021), also praised Singh's efforts to improve the living standards of rural India, where two-thirds of the country’s 1.2 billion people reside. Merkel reflected on her conversations with Singh, which deepened her understanding of the concerns faced by emerging economies. She noted how Singh helped her see the misgivings of the global south toward affluent countries, particularly regarding the lack of reciprocal attention to their challenges.

Merkel recalled her first meeting with Singh in 2006 at the Hannover Messe, an international trade fair, where they discussed the cultural diversity of India and its long history. She highlighted Singh's focus on rural development and his efforts to elevate the living standards of India's rural population, a commitment she believed shaped his policies during his time in office.

Both Obama and Merkel's reflections underscore Singh's legacy as a pragmatic leader who navigated complex economic and political landscapes while striving to uplift India’s rural majority and solidify the nation’s place in the global economy.