Manmohan a great man, a good leader, a splendid economist: Amartya Sen

Singh, who served as India's prime minister from 2004 to 2014, is widely credited with spearheading economic reforms and maintaining a measured approach to diplomacy and governance.

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has praised former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a "great man," calling him a "good political leader" and a "splendid economist" who upheld the values of tolerance and unity.

Speaking to PTI at his ancestral residence in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, Sen highlighted his long-standing association with Singh, spanning nearly seven decades since their student days at Cambridge.

Reflecting on Singh’s leadership, Sen noted that the former prime minister maintained composure even in the face of challenges, including incidents of terrorism.

"Manmohan was a great man, a good political leader, and a splendid economist," noted the noble laureate.

He commended Singh’s deep understanding of the teachings of Gautama Buddha, particularly the Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra (commonly known as the Diamond Sutra), which underscores the need to acknowledge and respect different faiths.

"He knew not to react sharply when there was evidence of Pakistani terrorism on Indian soil. He understood the message of Gautama Buddha in 'Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra or the Diamond Sutra that it is important that human beings recognise the existence of different faiths. You may favour a particular faith, but that should not make you denigrate the others," the economist noted.

"Manmohan knew that message very well. We had long conversations when we were students and later as colleagues at the Delhi School of Economics. Although he was a Sikh and valued his identity, he also built upon Buddha's teachings regarding respect for other faiths and communities," Sen said.

The Diamond Sutra, an influential Mahayana Buddhist scripture, contains a discourse by Gautama Buddha to the monk Subhuti, focusing on wisdom and the impermanence of worldly attachments. Sen underscored how Singh grasped these principles and applied them in his political and economic outlook.

Sen, who had worked alongside Singh at the Delhi School of Economics, recalled their many discussions on governance and philosophy, adding, "I liked Manmohan very much, and not just because he was a friend."

Singh, who served as India's prime minister from 2004 to 2014, is widely credited with spearheading economic reforms and maintaining a measured approach to diplomacy and governance.