India has lost one of its greatest economists and a visionary leader with the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh on Thursday. Renowned for his role in driving the country’s economic growth during his tenure as Prime Minister, Dr. Singh is celebrated for initiating India’s economic liberalization policies in 1991. However, his contributions extend far beyond economic reforms, encompassing a wide array of issues critical to the nation's progress during his time in office.

Former West Bengal Governor and National Security Advisor MK Narayanan, in a conversation with Mathrubhumi Editor Manoj K Das, highlighted Singh’s remarkable role as an economist and statesman, particularly in foreign policy and India’s global standing.

According to Narayanan, the role played by Manmohan Singh in striking a nuclear deal with the US is of utmost importance. He claimed that it was due to Manmohan Singh that former US president George W. Bush signed the nuclear pact with India. Recalling Manmohan's visit to the US, Narayanan said that President Barack Obama termed the former a "guru".

"... you must understand the way the world leaders treated Mr. Manmohan Singh. He was not a politician and hardly a leader in that sense. But he was viewed as an extraordinary individual, a very intelligent leader."

Sharing an anecdote from Singh’s state visit to the U.S., Narayanan recounted how former President Barack Obama referred to Singh as a “guru” during a meeting. “When Manmohan Singh spoke to Mr. Obama, the U.S. president suddenly interrupted him and said: Please stop. You are my guru. And I shall go by what you say. I think it sums up everything,” Narayanan said, underscoring Singh’s influence and the respect he commanded internationally.