Manmohan Singh Quotes

Manmohan Singh is an Indian economist, academic, and politician who served as the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014. The first Sikh in office, Singh was also the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full five-year term.

Born in Gah , Singh's family migrated to India during its partition in 1947. After obtaining his doctorate in economics from Oxford, Singh worked for the United Nations during 1966–69. He subsequently began his bureaucratic career when Lalit Narayan Mishra hired him as an advisor in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. During the 1970s and 1980s, Singh held several key posts in the Government of India, such as Chief Economic Advisor , governor of the Reserve Bank and head of the Planning Commission .

In 1991, as India faced a severe economic crisis, newly elected Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao surprisingly inducted the apolitical Singh into his cabinet as Finance Minister. Over the next few years, despite strong opposition, he as a Finance Minister carried out several structural reforms that liberalised India's economy. Although these measures proved successful in averting the crisis, and enhanced Singh's reputation globally as a leading reform-minded economist, the incumbent Congress party fared poorly in the 1996 general election. Subsequently, Singh served as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government of 1998–2004.

In 2004, when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance came to power, its chairperson Sonia Gandhi unexpectedly relinquished the premiership to Manmohan Singh. Singh's first ministry executed several key legislations and projects, including the Rural Health Mission, Unique Identification Authority, Rural Employment Guarantee scheme and Right to Information Act. In 2008, opposition to a historic civil nuclear agreement with the United States nearly caused Singh's government to fall after Left Front parties withdrew their support. Although India's economy grew rapidly under UPA I, its security was threatened by several terrorist incidents and the continuing Maoist insurgency.

The 2009 general election saw the UPA return with an increased mandate, with Singh retaining the office of Prime Minister. Over the next few years, Singh's second ministry government faced a number of corruption charges—over the organisation of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 2G spectrum allocation case and the allocation of coal blocks. After his term ended in 2014 he opted out from the race for the office of the Prime Minister of India during the 2014 Indian general election. Singh was never a member of the Lok Sabha but served as a member of the Parliament of India, representing the state of Assam in the Rajya Sabha for five terms from 1991 to 2019. In August 2019, Singh filed his nomination as a Congress candidate to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan after the death of sitting MP Madan Lal Saini. Wikipedia  

✵ 26. September 1932
Manmohan Singh: 27   quotes 0   likes

Famous Manmohan Singh Quotes

“I don’t get angry, I don’t want to use harsh words. They are our colleagues and we have to work with them. But they also have to learn to work with us.”

Responding to the opposition of Communist Party of India (Marxist) towards the India–United States Civil Nuclear Agreement, as quoted in "‘Anguished’ PM to Left: If you want to withdraw, so be it" http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070811/asp/frontpage/story_8179523.asp, The Telegraph (India) (11 August 2007)
2006-2010

“Sri Sathya Sai Baba as a preacher of the highest human values was an iconic figure for over five decades. He endeared himself to the people through various institutions, with headquarters at Prashanthi Nilayam, that promoted egalitarian values, education and public health.”

In an eulogy to Sathya Sai Baba, as quoted in "Nation mourns Sai Baba's death, Manmohan Singh calls him iconic figure" http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-nation-mourns-sai-babas-death-manmohan-singh-calls-him-iconic-figure-1535718, DNA India (24 April 2011)
2011-present

“Japan is at the heart of India’s Look East Policy. It is also a key partner in our economic development and in our quest for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Asia and the world. Anchored in our shared values and interests, the partnership between a strong and economically resurgent Japan and a transforming and rapidly growing India can be an effective force of good for the region.”

On Japan, as quoted in "Media Statements of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe at the press event held after the annual India-Japan summit level meeting" http://mea.gov.in/in-focus-article.htm?22782/Media+Statements+of+Prime+Minister+Dr+Manmohan+Singh+and+Prime+Minister+of+Japan+Shinzo+Abe+at+the+press+event+held+after+the+annual+IndiaJapan+summit+level+meeting, Ministry of External Affairs (25 January 2014)
2011-present

“We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably the fruits of development. These must have the first claim on resources.”

As quoted in "Muslims must have first claim on resources: PM" http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslims-must-have-first-claim-on-resources-PM/articleshow/754937.cms, The Times of India (9 December 2006)
2006-2010

Manmohan Singh Quotes about the world

“He has been doing a wonderful job in guiding India even prior to being the prime minister along the path of extraordinary economic growth. That is a marvel, I think, for all of the world.”

Barack Obama, as quoted in "Manmohan Singh is a wise, wonderful man: Obama" http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-04/india/28002745_1_obama-climate-change-wonderful-man, The Times of India (4 April 2009)

“I want to write to the Guinness Book of World Records that Manmohan Singh is the only Prime Minister of India among the eleven Prime Ministers that the country had who has not won even a municipal election. What is he going to tell me? Manmohan Singh is a nominated Prime Minister. He is not a representative of the people of India.”

Natwar Singh, former External Affairs Minister, "Manmohan hasn't even won an election: Natwar" http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Manmohan-hasnt-even-won-an-election-Natwar/articleshow/1878602.cms, The Times of India (9 August 2009)

Manmohan Singh Quotes about people

“I am delighted to hear the popularity of Odori Maharaja among young people here. Our children were delighted to see Odori Asimo - the dancing robot!”

On the popularity of Rajnikanth in Japan, as quoted in "'Dancing Maharaja' Rajnikant is a rage in Japan" http://www.hindustantimes.com/nm20/dancing-maharaja-rajnikant-is-a-rage-in-japan/article1-185499.aspx, Hindustan Times (15 December 2006)
2006-2010

“Just as the Congress party did not plan the riots, but certain individuals belonging to the party have been accused of them, I have come to know that certain people belonging to the RSS were also named in some FIRs.”

On the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, as quoted in "Manmohan says he was misquoted on RSS role in '84 riots" http://www.rediff.com/election/1999/sep/04man.htm, Rediff (4 September 1999)
1991-2000

“When we talk of a resurgent Asia, people think of the great changes that have come about in Shanghai. I share this aspiration to transform Mumbai in the next five years in such a manner that people would forget about Shanghai and Mumbai will become a talking point.”

Comparing Mumbai and Shanghai, as quoted in "Mumbai struggles to catch up with Shanghai" http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GC16Df02.html, Asia Times (16 March 2005)
2001-2005

Manmohan Singh Quotes

“The room for maneuver, to live on borrowed money or time, does not exist any more.”

On the 1991 Indian economic crisis, as quoted in "Budget 1991-92 Speech of Shri Manmohan Singh Minister of Finance" http://indiabudget.nic.in/bspeech/bs199192.pdf, Government of India (24 July 1991)
1991-2000
Context: There is no time to lose. Neither the Government nor the economy can live beyond its means year after year. The room for maneuver, to live on borrowed money or time, does not exist any more. Any further postponement of macroeconomic adjustment, long overdue, would mean that the balance of payments situation, now exceedingly difficult, would become unmanageable and inflation, already high, would exceed limits of tolerance.

“I can say in all humility that I have not used my public office to enrich myself, enrich my family or to enrich my friends.”

As quoted in "Manmohan speaks out: Never used public office to enrich self" http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/manmohan-singh-speaks-out-never-used-public-office-for-own-benefits-bjp-harping-on-graft-to-divert-attention/article1-1351757.aspx, Hindustan Times (27 May 2015)
2011-present

“Dalits have faced a unique discrimination in our society that is fundamentally different from the problems of minority groups in general. The only parallel to the practice of untouchability was apartheid.”

Comparing the caste system with apartheid, as quoted in "Indian leader likens caste system to apartheid regime" http://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/dec/28/india.mainsection, The Guardian (UK) (28 December 2006)
2006-2010

“I have to acknowledge that my successor has been a more adept salesman, event manager and communicator than me.”

On Narendra Modi, as quoted in "'My Successor a Better Salesman': Manmohan Singh Takes on PM Modi on Economy" http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/manmohan-singh-takes-on-modi-governments-claims-on-economy-770040, NDTV (9 June 2015)
2011-present

“I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament.”

On his legacy, as quoted in "History will be kinder to me than the media, says Manmohan" http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/interview/history-will-be-kinder-to-me-than-the-media-says-manmohan/article5535346.ece, The Hindu (4 January 2014)
2011-present

“Sikh extremism, separatism and militancy were a problem in India more than two decades ago. Today, Punjab is at peace and there is growth and prosperity. There are, however, some elements outside India, including in Canada, who try to keep this issue alive for their own purposes. In many cases, such elements have links to or are themselves wedded to terrorism.”

On the Khalistan movement, as quoted in "Manmohan Singh asks Canada to curb Sikh militancy from its soil" http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-manmohan-singh-asks-canada-to-curb-sikh-militancy-from-its-soil-1401712, DNA India (25 June 2010)
2006-2010

“His vision was to industrialize India, to urbanize India, and in the process he hoped that we would create a new society -- more rational, more humane, less ridden by caste and religious sentiments. That was the grand vision that Nehru had.”

On Jawaharlal Nehru, as quoted in "Commanding Heights: Manmohan Singh" http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/minitextlo/int_manmohansingh.html, PBS (6 February 2001)
2001-2005

“Unlike the general perception, Singh is not really a bureaucrat. My personal experience is that he is politically shrewd.”

I. G. Patel, 14th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, as quoted "Manmohan is politically shrewd: Dr IG Patel" http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/manmohan-is-politically-shrewd-dr-ig-patel-104052001025_1.html, Business Standard (20 May 2004)

“My brother was always glued to his books, an ardent reader and an educationist.”

Surjit Singh, his younger brother, as quoted in "Singh brothers see bright future for economy" http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2004-05-20/news/27389027_1_manmohan-singh-surjit-singh-big-brother, The Economic Times (20 May 2004)

“The only parallel to the practice of untouchability was apartheid.”

On Dalits and untouchability, "Indian leader likens caste system to apartheid regime" http://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/dec/28/india.mainsection, The Guardian (UK) (28 December 2006)
2006-2010

“I am an accidental prime minister.”

Manmohan Singh
The Accidental Prime Minister (2014)

Similar authors

Indíra Gándhí photo
Indíra Gándhí 35
Indian politician and Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru photo
Jawaharlal Nehru 110
Indian lawyer, statesman, and writer, first Prime Minister …
Golda Meir photo
Golda Meir 38
former prime minister of Israel
Winston S. Churchill photo
Winston S. Churchill 601
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Vladimir Putin photo
Vladimir Putin 110
President of Russia, former Prime Minister
Mahatma Gandhi photo
Mahatma Gandhi 238
pre-eminent leader of Indian nationalism during British-rul…
Margaret Thatcher photo
Margaret Thatcher 348
British stateswoman and politician
Václav Klaus photo
Václav Klaus 3
2nd President of the Czech Republic
Tenzin Gyatso photo
Tenzin Gyatso 112
spiritual leader of Tibet
Benito Mussolini photo
Benito Mussolini 127
Duce and President of the Council of Ministers of Italy. Le…