Manmohan Singh: Former Indian Prime Minister mourned at state funeral

His elder daughter Modi cremated him at the crematorium in front of President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and senior members of Singh’s Congress Party.

Foreign dignitaries such as King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan and Foreign Minister of Mauritius Dhananjay Ramful were also present.

Singh received full state honors in a ceremony that included a 21-gun salute.

After his death on Thursday night, the government declared seven days of national mourning.

Paying tribute shortly after his death, Modi said Singh’s “wisdom and humility were always evident” during their interactions and that as prime minister he “made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives”.

Opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who also attended the funeral, said he had lost “a mentor and a guide”.

Among foreign tributes, US President Joe Biden said his country’s “unprecedented partnership” with India would not have been possible without Singh’s “strategic vision and political courage”.

“He was a true statesman. He was a dedicated public servant. And above all, he was a kind and humble person,” Biden said in a statement.