Jaswant Singh

Jaswant Singh (3 January 1938 – 27 September 2020) was a prominent Indian politician and military officer. He served in various significant roles within the Indian government, including as Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, and Minister of External Affairs. Singh was a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and had a long parliamentary career, being elected to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha multiple times from 1980 until 2014.12

Early Life and Military Career

Singh began his career as an officer in the Indian Army before transitioning into politics in the 1960s. His political journey gained momentum when he joined the Janata Party, eventually leading to his involvement with the BJP, where he played a crucial role in shaping the party's policies and strategies.13

Political Career

Singh's political career is marked by several key appointments:

• Minister of Finance: He first served briefly in this role during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's first government in 1996.
• Minister of External Affairs: From December 1998 to July 2002, he was responsible for India's foreign relations during a critical period that included the Kargil War and nuclear tests.
• Minister of Defence: He held this position from July 2002 until the defeat of the Vajpayee government in May 2004.

Singh was known for his diplomatic skills, particularly in managing India's relations with Pakistan and the United States. His tenure also included efforts to liberalize India's economy during his time as Finance Minister.12

Later Years and Legacy

In 2009, Singh faced controversy after publishing a book that praised Mohammed Ali Jinnah, which led to his temporary expulsion from the BJP. He later returned to the party but distanced himself from it in 2014.2 Singh passed away on September 27, 2020, due to cardiac arrest after battling various health issues.12

His contributions to Indian politics and diplomacy have left a lasting impact, making him a significant figure in modern Indian history.