Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday remembered the late Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a leader who “changed India and the region.”Wickremesinghe was in New Delhi to pay his respects to the former Prime Minister, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 92.

During his visit, Wickremesinghe also expressed condolences to Singh’s wife, Gursharan Kaur Kohli.

After offering his respects, Wickremesinghe briefly spoke with Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, who was also present at Singh’s residence.

Speaking to reporters, Wickremesinghe reflected on Singh’s major contributions, particularly the Civil Nuclear Deal with the United States and his economic reforms during his tenure as Finance Minister.

“I remember him as the person who changed India and the region,” Wickremesinghe said, emphasizing the lasting impact of Singh’s leadership. “My message to his family: Thank you for what PM Manmohan Singh did,” he added.

Wickremesinghe, who has known Singh since 1992, called him a good friend and a leader who played a key role in shaping modern India. “He was a good leader, one of those who made modern India,” Wickremesinghe told ANI.

Currently in India for the 7th Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture, Wickremesinghe will deliver a keynote address at the event on December 27 at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Former Indian Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu will join Wickremesinghe in delivering the keynote speeches.

Singh, an economist-turned-politician who served as India’s Prime Minister for two terms and played a pivotal role in the country’s economic liberalization, was ailing and had been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi prior to his passing.