India mourns the loss of K. Natwar Singh, former Indian Foreign Minister, who passed away on August 11, 2024, at the age of 93 after a prolonged illness. Before entering politics, Singh served as India’s ambassador to Pakistan and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. As External Affairs Minister under the UPA government, he was instrumental in strengthening India’s relations with its neighbors and key global powers.
However, Singh’s career was not without controversy. He once revealed in an interview with Journalist Karan Thapar that the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi sent Indian troops to Sri Lanka without even informing his Cabinet.
Singh, who was a close advisor to Rajiv Gandhi, shared the surprising details about how the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was deployed to Sri Lanka. According to him, Rajiv Gandhi made the decision entirely on his own, without discussing it with the Cabinet or seeking their approval.
Sri Lankan President Jayawardene had requested troops due to his fear of a coup at that time, and Rajiv Gandhi immediately agreed. According to Natwar Singh, by the time he and P.V. Narasimha Rao, who was also in Colombo, learned about the situation, the order to deploy troops to Sri Lanka had already been given.
The troops were not informed about the geography of the Jaffna peninsula or the locations of LTTE hideouts. From the outset, the handling of the Sri Lankan ethnic issue was flawed, ultimately resulting in a complete failure.
India and the Sri Lanka Civil War
The Sri Lankan Civil War, which started in 1983, saw the rise of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant group fighting for an independent Tamil state. By 1987, Rajiv Gandhi was under increasing pressure, both internationally and at home, to take action. He decided to sign the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord and send Indian troops to the island nation—but the shocking part was- he did it all without consulting his Cabinet.
The deployment of the IPKF, which was supposed to be a peacekeeping mission, quickly turned into a disaster. Indian soldiers faced fierce resistance from the LTTE and struggled with a hostile local population. The mission, intended to bring peace, instead led to heavy losses and growing criticism back home, with many questioning the wisdom of Rajiv Gandhi’s decision. As per Natwar Singh, India lost 15,000 soldiers in this mission.
The mission ended in 1990, left behind a complicated legacy that continues to influence India’s foreign policy to this day.
Natwar Singh’s controversial tenure as FM
Natwar Singh’s own tenure as minister was cut short by allegations in the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal, leading to his resignation. The scandal revolved around accusations of corruption in the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme, which was designed to let Iraq sell oil in exchange for food, medicine, and other humanitarian supplies without breaching UN sanctions imposed after the 1991 Gulf War.
United Nations’ Volcker Committee investigation indicated that Natwar Singh, his son, along with several Indian businessmen and Youth Congress leaders , had received oil vouchers that could be sold for profit. The report’s findings prompted Singh to resign from his ministerial position and ultimately led to his exit from the Congress party.
Despite later being exonerated of any wrongdoing, the stain of the scandal lingered, overshadowing their contributions to public service and diplomacy.
Leaders react to his passing
News of Singh’s death has led to condolences from people across the political world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness, noting Singh’s important work in diplomacy and foreign policy. Many other leaders have also shared their tributes, showing how much he was respected and admired.
Pained by the passing away of Shri Natwar Singh Ji. He made rich contributions to the world of diplomacy and foreign policy. He was also known for his intellect as well as prolific writing. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/7eIR1NHXgJ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 11, 2024
A hugely engaging political personality.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 11, 2024
A distinguished foreign service officer.
A cultured man of letters and noted author with a few classics to his credit.
A walking encyclopedia of the worlds of Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
A delightful conversationalist, storyteller and…
As the nation remembers this veteran leader, his legacy is honored not just in politics but also in the history of India’s diplomacy. His passing is a reminder of how short life is and the lasting influence of a life spent serving the public.
