Editing Manmohan Singh (section)

==== Foreign policy ====
{{See also|List of international prime ministerial trips made by Manmohan Singh}}
{{multiple image
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| image1 = President Barack Obama with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh 2009-11-24(2).jpg
| alt1 = Manmohan Singh with American President Barack Obama at the White House
| alt2 = The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the American President, Mr. George W. Bush interacting with media at oval office, in Washington DC
| caption2 = Singh with American presidents, [[Barack Obama]] and [[George W. Bush]], at the [[White House]]
| image2 = The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the American President, Mr. George W. Bush interacting with media at oval office, in Washington DC, during his visit to the United States, on September 25, 2008.jpg
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Manmohan Singh continued the [[Foreign relations of India|pragmatic foreign policy]] that was started by [[P.V. Narasimha Rao]] and continued by [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]'s [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]. Singh continued the [[India-Pakistan relations|peace process with Pakistan]] initiated by his predecessor, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Exchange of high-level visits by top leaders from both countries have highlighted his tenure. Efforts have been made during Singh's tenure to end the border dispute with [[China|People's Republic of China]]. In November 2006, Chinese President [[Hu Jintao]] visited India which was followed by Singh's visit to Beijing in January 2008. A major development in [[Sino-Indian relations]] was the reopening of the [[Nathula Pass]] in 2006 after being closed for more than four decades.<ref name="state visit">{{cite web |title=Visits of Heads of States/Heads of Governments |url=https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/China_Jan_2016.pdf |publisher=Ministry of External Affairs (India) |access-date=28 April 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803163632/https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/China_Jan_2016.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Premier of the People's Republic of China|Premier of the State Council]] of the People's Republic of China, [[Li Keqiang]] paid a state visit to India (Delhi-[[Mumbai]]) from 19 to 21 May 2013.<ref name="state visit" /> Singh paid an official visit to China from 22 to 24 October 2013.<ref name="state visit" /> Three agreements were signed establishing [[Sister Cities International|sister-city partnership]] between Delhi-Beijing, Kolkata-[[Kunming]] and Bangalore-[[Chengdu]]. As of 2010, the People's Republic of China was the second biggest trade partner of India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90778/90861/6873167.html|title=China becomes India's 2nd largest trade partner – People's Daily Online|access-date=19 December 2019|archive-date=7 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907233342/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90778/90861/6873167.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[India-Afghanistan relations|Relations with Afghanistan]] have improved considerably, with India now becoming the largest regional donor to Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/17474/indiaafghanistan_relations.html|title=India-Afghanistan Relations|access-date=11 December 2008|last=Bajoria|first=Jayshree|date=23 October 2008|publisher=[[Council on Foreign Relations]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081129231738/http://www.cfr.org/publication/17474/indiaafghanistan_relations.html|archive-date=29 November 2008}}</ref> During Afghan President [[Hamid Karzai]]'s visit to New Delhi in August 2008, Manmohan Singh increased the aid package to Afghanistan for the development of more schools, health clinics, infrastructure, and defence.<ref name=BBC2>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7540204.stm|title=BBC NEWS – South Asia – India announces more Afghan aid|access-date=16 November 2016|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226123533/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7540204.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Under the leadership of Singh, India emerged as one of the single largest aid donors to Afghanistan.<ref name=BBC2 />

[[File:The_Prime_Minister,_Dr._Manmohan_Singh_meeting_the_President_of_Egypt,_Mr._Hosni_Mubarak_on_the_sideline_of_the_15th_NAM_Summit,_at_Sharm_El_Sheikh,_Egypt,_on_July_16,_2009.jpg|alt=The_Prime_Minister,_Dr._Manmohan_Singh_meeting_the_President_of_Egypt,_Mr._Hosni_Mubarak_on_the_sideline_of_the_15th_NAM_Summit,_at_Sharm_El_Sheikh,_Egypt,_on_July_16,_2009|thumb|Singh with Egyptian President [[Hosni Mubarak]] on the sideline of the [[Non-Aligned Movement|15th NAM Summit]], at [[Sharm El Sheikh]], Egypt, July 2009]]
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev in China 14 April 2011-2.jpeg|thumb|Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with [[Dmitry Medvedev]], [[Hu Jintao]], [[Dilma Rousseff]] and [[Jacob Zuma]] at the [[2011 BRICS summit]] in [[Sanya]], China]]

Singh's government worked towards stronger [[India-US relations|ties with the United States]]. He visited the United States in July 2005 initiating negotiations over the [[Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement]]. This was followed by [[George W. Bush]]'s successful visit to India in March 2006, during which the declaration over the nuclear agreement was made, giving India access to American nuclear fuel and technology while India will have to allow [[IAEA]] inspection of its civil [[nuclear reactor]]s. After more than two years for more negotiations, followed by approval from the IAEA, [[Nuclear Suppliers Group]] and the [[US Congress]], India and the US signed the agreement on 10 October 2008 with [[Pranab Mukherjee]] representing India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/6513319.html|title=U.S., India ink historic civilian nuclear deal|access-date=11 December 2008|date=11 October 2008|work=People's Daily|archive-date=13 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413053230/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/6513319.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Singh had the first official state visit to the White House during the administration of US President [[Barack Obama]]. The visit took place in November 2009, and several discussions took place, including on trade and nuclear power.<ref name="CSIS">{{cite web |title=Manmohan Singh's U.S. Visit |url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/manmohan-singh%E2%80%99s-us-visit |publisher=Centre for Strategic and International Studies |access-date=28 April 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611102936/https://www.csis.org/analysis/manmohan-singhs-us-visit |url-status=live }}</ref>

Relations improved with Japan and [[European Union]] countries, like the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Relations with Iran continued and negotiations over the [[Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline]] have taken place. New Delhi hosted an India–Africa Summit in April 2006 which was attended by the leaders of 15 African states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/several-african-leaders-to-attend-africa-india-summit-au-says/|title=Several African leaders to attend Africa-India summit, AU says|access-date=11 December 2008|date=28 March 2008|publisher=African Press International|archive-date=1 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001071620/http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/several-african-leaders-to-attend-africa-india-summit-au-says/|url-status=live}}</ref> Relations have improved with other developing countries, particularly Brazil and South Africa. Singh carried forward the momentum which was established after the "Brasilia Declaration" in 2003 and the [[IBSA Dialogue Forum]] was formed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=3708 |title=IBSA Dialogue Forum: A Strategic Partnership |access-date=11 December 2008 |last=Beri |first=Ruchita |date=10 December 2008 |work=The African Executive |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411204949/http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=3708 |archive-date=11 April 2009 }}</ref>

Singh's government has also been especially keen on [[India-Israel relations|expanding ties with Israel]]. Since 2003, the two countries have made significant investments in each other<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=ea163747-b106-4e32-b231-7eb64de62985 |title=India and Israel: The great seduction |access-date=11 December 2008 |last=Halarnkar |first=Samar |date=23 October 2007 |work=Hindustan Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107062435/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=ea163747-b106-4e32-b231-7eb64de62985 |archive-date=7 January 2009 }}</ref> and Israel now rivals Russia to become India's largest defence partner.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE3DD163BF934A3575AC0A9659C8B63|title=The Bond Between India and Israel Grows|access-date=11 December 2008|last=Waldman|first=Amy|date=7 September 2003|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|archive-date=11 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611102954/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/07/world/the-bond-between-india-and-israel-grows.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Though there have been a few diplomatic glitches between India and Russia, especially over the delay and price hike of several Russian weapons to be delivered to India,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/17/stories/2008041761781200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421021724/http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/17/stories/2008041761781200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 April 2008|title=Centre admits to problems in naval deals|access-date=11 December 2008|last=Dikshit|first=Sandeep|date=17 April 2008|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> relations between the two remained strong with India and Russia signing various agreements to increase defence, nuclear energy and space co-operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=339943 |title=India, Russia sign agreements to further strengthen ties |access-date=11 December 2008 |last=Roychowdhury |first=Amitabh |date=6 December 2006 |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411192950/http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=339943 |archive-date=11 April 2009 }}</ref>

During the [[2011 Libyan Civil War|Libyan Civil War]], India abstained from voting on the [[UN Security Council Resolution 1973|UN Security Council's Resolutions 1970 and 1973]] that authorised [[NATO]] action in Libya.<ref>{{cite news|title=India and China had similar considerations on Libya|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1571829.ece|access-date=30 December 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|date=26 March 2011|archive-date=8 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908001259/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1571829.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> In Lok Sabha, resolution was uniamously adopted to condemn [[Military intervention in Libya|NATO's military intervention in Libya]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/parties-unite-to-slam-strikes-on-libya/articleshow/7766649.cms|title=Parties unite to slam strikes on Libya|date=23 March 2011|publisher=Times of India|archive-date=29 March 2023|access-date=27 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329054016/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/parties-unite-to-slam-strikes-on-libya/articleshow/7766649.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2009, Singh was among the leaders who laid the foundation of the [[BRICS]]. The establishment of the group is often described as a display of emergent economic power.<ref name="i727">{{cite web | last=Cowell | first=Alan | title=Manmohan Singh, Indian Prime Minister, Dies at 92 | website=The New York Times | date=26 December 2024 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/26/world/asia/manmohan-singh-dead.html | access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref>

Singh criticised the West for the use of force to enforce regime change in Syria and Libya during his speech at the UN in September 2011.<ref>{{cite news |last=Diwakar |date=25 September 2011 |title=Manmohan slams West for using force to change regimes |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/manmohan-slams-west-for-using-force-to-change-regimes/articleshow/10108923.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=14 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025012351/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-25/india/30200524_1_libya-sovereignty-countries |archive-date=25 October 2012}}</ref> India was silent over the killing of Gaddafi.<ref name="thediplomat">{{cite news|title=Why India Admired Gaddafi|url=https://thediplomat.com/indian-decade/2011/10/28/why-india-admired-gaddafi/|access-date=30 December 2012|newspaper=The Diplomat|date=28 October 2011|archive-date=10 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510062719/http://thediplomat.com/indian-decade/2011/10/28/why-india-admired-gaddafi/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=India Quiet on Gaddafi Killing|url=https://thediplomat.com/indian-decade/2011/10/23/india-quiet-on-gaddafi-killing/|access-date=30 December 2012|newspaper=The Diplomat|date=23 October 2011|archive-date=10 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510042400/http://thediplomat.com/indian-decade/2011/10/23/india-quiet-on-gaddafi-killing/|url-status=live}}</ref> Although India was among the last few countries to recognise the Libyan National Transitional Council, it agreed to work with the Council to help rebuild Libya.<ref>{{cite news|title=India offers all help to Libya|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/India-offers-all-help-to-Libya/articleshow/10434464.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510142536/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-21/middle-east/30305924_1_muammar-gaddafi-libyan-people-unsc-resolution|url-status=live|archive-date=10 May 2013|access-date=30 December 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=21 October 2011}}</ref> India resent an ambassador to Tripoli in July 2012 having shut its mission in Tripoli in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=India and Ivory Coast Send Ambassadors to Libya|url=http://libyaninvestment.com/libya-business-news/65278-india-and-ivory-coast-send-ambassadors-to-libya.html|access-date=30 December 2012|date=3 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107032952/http://libyaninvestment.com/libya-business-news/65278-india-and-ivory-coast-send-ambassadors-to-libya.html|archive-date=7 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>