Remembering K Natwar Singh: Diplomat and Politician Who Navigated the Storms of Power and Controversy

Remembering K Natwar Singh: Diplomat and Politician Who Navigated the Storms of Power and Controversy

K Natwar Singh, a multifaceted figure in Indian politics and diplomacy, passed away at the age of 93 on Saturday night. His journey, marked by remarkable achievements and significant controversies, will be remembered for his enduring passion for writing and his complex political legacy.

Born into the royal family of Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Singh’s career spanned several domains. Initially a distinguished diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Singh’s career took a pivotal turn when he resigned from the IFS in 1984 to enter the political arena. He became a prominent member of the Indian National Congress (INC), holding key positions, including Minister of State for Steel and Coal and later, the Minister of External Affairs in Rajiv Gandhi’s cabinet.

However, Singh’s political journey was not without turbulence. His tenure as External Affairs Minister ended abruptly in 2005 due to his involvement in the alleged “oil-for-food” scandal. A United Nations committee, led by Paul Volcker, revealed that Singh and others received illicit payments in providing aid to sanctions-hit Iraq. This scandal led to Singh’s dismissal from the cabinet by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his subsequent suspension from the Congress party in 2006 after a report by Justice RS Pathak was released.

Singh’s relationship with the Congress party, which had spanned decades, deteriorated sharply. By February 2008, Singh severed his ties with Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), though he later aligned with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) before exiting that too. His departure from Congress marked the end of an era, reflecting the volatile nature of Indian politics.

Throughout his career, Singh navigated numerous political upheavals. During the PV Narasimha Rao era, he was sidelined but made a comeback in 1998 as part of Sonia Gandhi’s inner circle. His autobiography, *One Life Is Not Enough*, published in August 2014, provided a candid account of his experiences, including private conversations between Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh, which he had publicly criticized.

A 1953 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Singh’s diplomatic career was notable for his role in the Non-Aligned Movement summit in New Delhi in 1983. His contributions were recognized with the Padma Vibhushan award in 1984. Singh also served as Deputy High Commissioner in the UK and as Indian Ambassador to Pakistan during a critical period in international relations.

K Natwar Singh’s life was a blend of significant achievements and controversies. Despite the political storms that surrounded him, his dedication to the written word and his complex, often turbulent, political career will remain a central part of his legacy.

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