Montek Singh Ahluwalia Hails Manmohan Singh’s Steady Leadership in India’s Economic Transformation
New Delhi, November 14, 2025 Former Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia praised former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his steady leadership and resilience under political pressures, highlighting his pivotal role in shaping India’s economic trajectory.
Delivering a lecture at the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library, Teen Murti Bhavan, Ahluwalia traced Singh’s journey as an economist, reformer, and Prime Minister, emphasizing his ability to maintain policy continuity amid political constraints. The event was attended by Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur, NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson Suman Bery, and Congress leader Gurdeep Singh Sappal.
“He faced pressures from allies, his own party, and critics across the political spectrum, yet kept the system steady and growth-focused,” Ahluwalia said. He underscored that Singh’s tenure built on the 1991 liberalization reforms, ensuring that economic change continued while navigating coalition politics.
Ahluwalia highlighted the United Progressive Alliance (UPA-I) government’s achievements in sustaining growth, establishing long-term institutional frameworks, and promoting private sector participation through public–private partnership models. The National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) was instrumental in maintaining reform momentum, targeting 7–8% growth rates and encouraging private investment in infrastructure.
Among Singh’s landmark decisions, Ahluwalia cited the Indo–U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement and Aadhaar as defining legacies—one enhancing India’s strategic positioning, the other creating a robust institutional framework for governance. “The nuclear deal laid the foundation for subsequent defense and strategic cooperation with the U.S.,” Ahluwalia noted.
He concluded that Singh’s leadership demonstrated that growth is necessary for progress, and even under political limitations, steadfast commitment to reforms could secure long-term national development.
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