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NEW DELHI — K Natwar Singh, a towering figure in Indian diplomacy and politics, passed away on Saturday night at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, near Delhi. He was 93 years old. Singh had been struggling with a prolonged illness and had been under medical care for the past two weeks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses grief.
Singh’s death has elicited a wave of condolences from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting Singh’s significant contributions to diplomacy and foreign policy. Modi praised Singh’s intellect and prolific writing, extending his thoughts to the bereaved family and admirers.
Life of K Natwar Singh.
Born in 1931 in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Singh’s career was marked by remarkable achievements in both diplomacy and politics. He began his professional journey in the Indian Foreign Service in 1953, where he served in key roles across China, the United States, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom. His tenure included influential positions such as Secretary-General of the Non-aligned Summit and Chief Coordinator of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 1983.
In 1984, Singh transitioned from diplomacy to politics, joining the Indian National Congress. He won the Bharatpur seat in the Lok Sabha and served as a Union Minister of State until 1989. He made a significant return to prominence in 2004 when he was appointed as the External Affairs Minister under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. However, his term was marred by controversy surrounding the 2005 Iraqi oil scam. Singh resigned from his ministerial position amid allegations, though he was later exonerated.
Singh’s career was not without its ups and downs. He experienced a fallout with Congress leadership, particularly with Sonia Gandhi, following the Iraqi oil scandal. Despite this, his political journey saw him briefly join the Bahujan Samaj Party with his son Jagat in 2008, though this association was short-lived.
Natwar’s work as an author.
Beyond his political and diplomatic achievements, Singh was a prolific author, penning several books on subjects ranging from Nehru’s legacy to his experiences in China. His autobiography, “One Life is Not Enough,” provides a candid reflection of his storied career.
Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1984, recognizing his contributions to Indian diplomacy. His influence extended to mentoring young diplomats, many of whom have achieved high ranks in the field.
