'True statesman, humble person': US President Joe Biden honours Manmohan Singh's legacy; sends condolences to India

US President Joe Biden and his wife and first lady Jill Biden paid their tributes to former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In a statement released by the White House, Biden recalled Singh's role in strengthening the US-India ties and called him a true statesman.

"Jill and I join the people of India in grieving the loss of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh...During this difficult time, we recommit to this vision to which Prime Minister Singh dedicated his life. Jill and I send our deepest condolences to former First Lady Gursharan Kaur, their three children, and all the people of India," said Biden in the statement.

The US President reminisced Singh's crucial role in helping India and US forge a strong diplomatic relationship, and said that the two countries wouldn;t be where they are today, if not for Singh's vision.


"The unprecedented level of cooperation between India and the United States today would have not been possible without the Prime Minister's strategic vision and political courage. From forging U.S-India Nuclear Civil Agreement to helping launch the First Quad between Indo-Pacific partners, he chartered pathbreaking progress that will continue to strengthen our nations," Biden was quoted as saying.

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Biden also remembered his encounters with Singh in the years 2008, 2009 and 2013. He mentioned the time Singh hosted him in New Delhi during his second term as India's Prime Minister in 2013.

"I had the chance to meet Prime Minister Singh as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2008 and as Vice President during his official State Visit to the United States in 2009. He also graciously hosted me in New Delhi in 2013. As we discussed then, US-India relationship is among the most consequential in the world. And together as partners and friends, our nations can unlock a future of dignity and unlimited potential for all our people," said Biden.

Moreover, Biden extended his condolences to Singh's wife and former Indian first lady, Gursharan Kaur, his three daughters and India.