Manmohan Singh

“My top most priority is to deal with India's massive social and economic problems, so that chronic poverty, ignorance and disease can be conquered in a reasonably short period of time.”

“I have dealt with politicians ever since I came into the government in 1971. I have seen many prime ministers, many finance ministers.”

“Cutting the fiscal deficit is not popular. That is the experience of all governments in all countries. Expenditure cuts hurt certain vested interests, and they don't like it.”

“When I was the finance minister, I got on well with the RBI Governor.”

“Bankers also play politics.”

“Protectionism is a very real danger. It is understandable that in times of a severe downturn protectionist pressures mount but the lessons of history are clear. If we give in to protectionist pressures, we will only send the world into a downward spiral.”

“If you don't have a functioning financial system the world economy won't be revived. All the major economies have their responsibility to assist at a pace which is required to clean up the balance sheet of the banking system and to ensure that credit flows are resumed.”

“India happens to be a rich country inhabited by very poor people.”

“The future is inherently uncertain.”

“I can assure you we are a responsible nuclear power.”

“We removed wealth tax in the 1991 budget. That is one way in which the children of those who had wealth could put money honestly into their enterprises.”

“A loser is one who has "given up on his dreams",so long as you are trying, you haven't lost yet!”

“The Indian economy grew at 5.5 percent, but if you look at the last 30 years - for example, 1960 to 1985 - the progress made by East Asian countries was phenomenal. In a single generation they had been able to transform the character of their economy. They were able to get rid of chronic poverty.”

“Let me say that I think the economic history of the last 150 years clearly shows that if you want to industrialize a country in a short period, let us say 20 years, and you don't have a well-developed private sector, entrepreneurial class, then central planning is important.”

“Life is never free of contradictions.”

“I honestly feel that if there is an important point of view, any member of the Congress party, any member of my Cabinet is free to raise issues and require reconsideration of issues. I think that's what a democracy is about.”

“I've always believed India is a country blessed by - of - blessed by God with enormous entrepreneurial skills.”

“Unity and secularism will be the motto of the government. We can't afford divisive polity in India.”

“As far as Afghanistan is concerned, I'm not sure whether the United States and Pakistan have the same objectives. Pakistan would like Afghanistan to be under its control.”

“Judiciary must be encouraged to find ways and means to regulate its own affairs - consistent with the spirit of the Constitution.”