The former Prime Minister of India, regarded as the father of the country's economic growth, has passed away.

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has passed away, having implemented extensive reforms in the country and contributing to its emergence as a global economic center. He was 92 years old.

According to reports from CNN, he suddenly lost consciousness at his home on December 26 and was hospitalized. Despite the efforts of doctors, Singh died that same evening.

Known for wearing his signature blue turban, Singh was the first Prime Minister of India from the Sikh minority. He led the country from 2004 to 2014.

Singh was an economist educated at Oxford. Many regard him as the architect of far-reaching reforms that impacted India's economy, fostering years of unprecedented growth and lifting tens of millions of people out of poverty.

Washington expressed condolences over Singh's death. In his statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken described him as "one of the greatest champions of the U.S.-India strategic partnership."

"We mourn the passing of Dr. Singh and will always remember his dedication to bringing the United States and India closer together," Blinken said.

As reported by the "Telegraph," on December 18, the renowned Ukrainian kobzar and bandurist Ostap Kindratchuk, who often performed on the Yalta waterfront in Crimea, passed away. He was 87 years old.