Manmohan Singh left a lasting imprint on India’s external relations

When the tsunami hit India on December 26, 2004, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, then just a few months at the helm, faced not only a grave national tragedy, but also a moment where India would be tested internationally. Within a year, however, Dr. Singh’s government was hit by a political tsunami, also of international proportions, as his External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh had to resign over the Volcker oil-for-food bribery scandal. Dr. Singh’s personal ties with U.S. President George W. Bush, whom he controversially told in 2008, “The people of India deeply love you”, and with his successor President Barack Obama, who has often spoke of his admiration for Dr. Singh’s intellect and wisdom, were a key part of the relationship. Former Foreign Secretary and Dr. Singh’s special envoy on climate change Shyam Saran recounts how deeply the Prime Minister involved himself in the progress of negotiations. “In relations with the United States, and ties with Pakistan, I took more or less the same line as Mr. Vajpayee had taken,” he said, adding, “I think that relations in our neighbourhood, and that includes China, are important for India to realise its chosen destiny.” However, while the U.S engagement brought Dr. Singh accolades, the outreaches to Pakistan frequently ended in frustration.