In a heartfelt statement issued today, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader, Prof. Saifuddin Soz, shared his memories of an important conversation with Dr. Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, who passed away recently.
Prof. Soz recalled attending a Cabinet meeting in July 2007, after which he accompanied Dr. Singh to his office for a one-on-one discussion. It was during this private conversation that Dr. Singh expressed his hopes for a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan, particularly in the context of a planned visit to Pakistan following an invitation from then-President Pervez Musharraf.
According to Prof. Soz, Dr. Singh shared his disappointment over Musharraf's decision to postpone the visit, citing pressing domestic issues, such as the ongoing crisis at Lal Masjid and the need to address the demands of the agitating lawyers.
"Dr. Singh lamented that President Musharraf had hoped to reschedule the visit, but it was clear to him that meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan was becoming increasingly elusive," Prof. Soz recalled. "Unfortunately, Musharraf's 'next month' for an appropriate dialogue never came, and both nations remained stuck in a prolonged stalemate."
Prof. Soz highlighted that Dr. Singh's desire for a decisive and sustained dialogue with Pakistan remained unfulfilled during his tenure as Prime Minister. Despite several attempts, the hoped-for breakthrough in relations never materialized.
Reflecting on Dr. Singh's legacy, Prof. Soz expressed deep sorrow at his passing, calling it a profound loss for the nation. "Dr. Manmohan Singh’s passing is a great loss to the country. His vision for peace and dialogue, especially with Pakistan, was unwavering," Soz said. "I extend my deepest condolences to Madam Gursharan Kaur and their daughters during this time of bereavement."
Prof. Soz’s statement reflects a longstanding view within Indian political circles that the hopes for peace with Pakistan have often been undermined by external challenges, but also emphasizes Dr. Singh's personal commitment to fostering better relations across the border.
The passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, who served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, has led to an outpouring of tributes from leaders across the political spectrum, acknowledging his quiet diplomacy, economic reforms, and efforts to strengthen India’s position on the global stage.
