Jill and President Joe Biden have expressed their condolences following the death of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In a statement, President Biden highlighted Singh's role in fostering strong ties between India and the United States. "The unprecedented level of cooperation between the United States and India today would not have been possible without the Prime Minister’s strategic vision and political courage," he stated.
President Biden acknowledged Singh's contributions, including his involvement in establishing the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement and initiating the first Quad among Indo-Pacific partners. These efforts, according to Biden, paved the way for significant progress that continues to impact both nations positively. He described Singh as "a true statesman" and "a dedicated public servant," emphasizing his character as "a kind and humble person."
Reflecting on past interactions with Singh, President Biden recalled meetings from his time as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2008, Vice President during Singh's Official State Visit to the United States in 2009, and a visit to New Delhi in 2013. During these engagements, they discussed the importance of U.S.-India relations as being among "the most consequential in the world."
In closing, President Biden reiterated a commitment to continuing Singh's vision for future cooperation between India and the United States. He extended sympathies to Singh's family: "And Jill and I send our deepest condolences to former First Lady Gursharan Kaur, their three children, and all the people of India."
