New Delhi: There is an irony in the way history treats its architects. The unassuming figures, often ridiculed or ignored in their time, are the ones who quietly lay the foundations of transformative change.
Dr Manmohan Singh, India’s former Prime Minister, stands as a towering example. While his critics from the Left took relentless potshots at him, history will undoubtedly recognise him as the economic architect who saved India from the brink of economic collapse in 1991 and charted its course toward global prominence.
The disdain Dr Singh faced from the Left is no secret. Their deep suspicion of liberal economic policies made him an easy target. For them, Dr Singh epitomised everything they opposed — a reformist who embraced market liberalisation, advocated for reduced state intervention, and empowered the private sector. But their antagonism went beyond economic reforms. Their fierce opposition to the India-US nuclear deal during Dr Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister revealed the depths of their ideological rigidity and unwillingness to adapt to a changing world order.
The crisis that defined a leader
The early 1990s marked one of the darkest periods in India’s economic history. With foreign reserves depleting to perilous levels and the nation teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, India’s economy was in free fall. The Nehruvian socialist model of centralised planning and heavy state control, which the Left continued to champion, had led to stagnation and inefficiency. India needed a lifeline, and that lifeline came in the form of reforms spearheaded by Dr Singh, then Finance Minister under Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao.
Dr Singh’s economic reforms — summarised as liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation — were a bold departure from decades of economic orthodoxy. The Indian economy was opened to foreign investments, import restrictions were eased, and monopolistic state control over critical sectors was dismantled.
The Left branded these measures as “a betrayal of India’s socialist ideals,” ignoring the harsh reality that without these reforms, India would have descended deeper into poverty and economic irrelevance. Their failure to propose credible alternatives exposed the hollowness of their rhetoric.
India-US nuclear deal
The Left’s contradictions were further highlighted during Dr Singh’s second term as Prime Minister. Their vehement opposition to the India-US nuclear deal was not just short-sighted but also detrimental to India’s long-term strategic interests.
The deal, which ended India’s decades-long nuclear isolation, was a diplomatic masterstroke. It ensured India access to critical nuclear technology and fuel, boosting energy security and strengthening its global standing. But the Left saw it as an “infringement on India’s sovereignty”, framing it as a “capitulation to US interests”.
Their obstructionist stance brought the government to the brink of collapse in 2008, with the Left withdrawing support in protest. Yet, Dr Singh’s resolve remained unshaken. He famously stated, “I would rather risk my government than my country’s future.” This bold stance not only secured the deal but also demonstrated his commitment to India’s strategic autonomy.
A legacy of humility and vision
Under Dr Manmohan Singh’s leadership, India’s economy witnessed unprecedented growth, even weathering the global financial crisis of 2008 with resilience. Landmark initiatives such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act showcased his commitment to inclusive development.
The Left may continue to criticise Dr Singh, but history has already rendered its verdict. Whether it was his transformative economic reforms or his determined pursuit of the nuclear deal, Dr Singh’s actions were guided by a vision for a stronger, self-reliant India.
Today, as we reflect on his contributions, it is clear that India owes Dr Manmohan Singh a debt of gratitude. His legacy is a testament to the power of pragmatic leadership and the courage to make tough, unpopular decisions for the greater good.
(Saswat Panigrahi is a senior multimedia journalist.)
