Natwar Singh’s life was a tale of grandeur and complexity, marked by his transformation from a cherished member of Congress’s inner circle to a figure largely estranged from the party. A man of many talents, Singh was a royal, a diplomat with a sharp wit, and a politician closely associated with four generations of the Gandhi family, starting with Jawaharlal Nehru. Despite his significant achievements, his passing at the age of 93 was overshadowed by the controversies that marred his later years.
Natwar Singh, who once enjoyed unparalleled access to the upper echelons of Congress, eventually became known more for his bitter fallout with the Gandhi family than for his illustrious career. His journey from a celebrated diplomat to a disgraced politician defined the narrative of his obituaries. Singh, who had served in key diplomatic positions in China, the US, Pakistan, and the UK, was deeply embedded in the fabric of Congress. He was close to Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and later Sonia Gandhi. However, the turning point in his career came with the Volcker Report, which alleged that Singh had benefited from the UN’s ‘Oil for Food’ program through his connections with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
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The allegations, which surfaced during the early days of the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh, sparked a political storm. Singh was accused of using his position to benefit his son and his son’s friend, charges that were “corroborated” by Aniel Matherani, who was then India’s ambassador to Croatia. Despite Singh’s denials and his insistence that Congress was also implicated in the Volcker report, the damage was done. Singh left both the government and the party, quickly becoming an outcast. The Justice RS Pathak Committee reportedly placed responsibility on Singh, although he maintained that he had been exonerated.
In his later years, Singh’s bitterness became apparent in his public remarks, particularly those directed at Sonia Gandhi and other members of the Gandhi family. Despite this, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge paid tribute to Singh upon his passing, acknowledging his contributions to India’s diplomacy and external affairs. “Our deepest condolences on the passing away of Former Union minister K Natwar Singh. An acclaimed intellectual and a Padma Bhushan recipient, he made a profound contribution to India’s diplomacy and external affairs,” Kharge wrote on X.
Our deepest condolences on the passing away of Former Union Minister, Shri K. Natwar Singh ji.
An acclaimed intellectual and a Padma Bhushan recipient, he made a profound contribution to India’s diplomacy and external affairs.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and… pic.twitter.com/3jZwrcIkWz
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) August 11, 2024
Jairam Ramesh also praised Singh’s legacy, stating, “He was truly someone who has left behind his ‘footprints on the sands of time.” Natwar Singh’s life remains a testament to the complexities of political loyalty and the personal consequences of public scandal.
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