As India marks the 104th birth anniversary of P.V. Narasimha Rao, it is a moment to pause and reflect on the enduring legacy of one of the most consequential yet underappreciated Prime Ministers in Indian history. A scholar-statesman, polyglot, and shrewd political mind, Rao not only laid the foundation for India’s economic liberalisation but also redefined India’s foreign policy and internal stability during one of its most turbulent periods.
Born on June 28, 1921, in Vangara village in present-day Telangana, P.V. Narasimha Rao rose through the ranks of the Indian National Congress with quiet determination. His intellectual depth was matched by his administrative experience—having served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and later holding key Union portfolios such as Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Home. But it was his accidental elevation to the Prime Minister’s post in 1991, after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, that brought the best of Rao’s leadership to the fore.
India was then facing an existential economic crisis, with foreign exchange reserves barely enough to cover two weeks of imports. In what can only be described as a historic pivot, Rao boldly embraced economic liberalisation. With Dr. Manmohan Singh as his Finance Minister, he dismantled the License Raj, opened India’s economy to global markets, and gave wings to entrepreneurship and private enterprise. This single transformative shift steered India away from decades of stagnation and set it on the path to becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
But Rao’s genius extended beyond economics. He managed a minority government with remarkable political deftness. Despite operating in an era of coalition uncertainties and rising regionalism, his government survived its full term—an achievement in itself. Rao also made significant strides in foreign policy, especially with Israel, the United States, and ASEAN nations, repositioning India as a pragmatic global player.
Contrary to the political polarisation of today, Rao was a leader who maintained cordial relations across the aisle. One of the most noteworthy friendships in Indian political history was between Rao and the BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Despite ideological differences, both shared mutual respect rooted in their love for India and commitment to its democratic institutions. Vajpayee never shied away from praising Rao’s intellect and contributions, especially his reformist zeal.
This spirit of statesmanship continues today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has, on multiple occasions, acknowledged P.V. Narasimha Rao’s contributions to India’s development. In a heartening gesture reflecting this bipartisan appreciation, Prime Minister Modi recently gave a warm audience to Rao’s family members, patiently listening to their requests to honour and institutionalise his legacy. Such gestures transcend party lines and signal a maturing democracy that can rise above petty politics to honour its true architects.
While Rao was often denied his due by his own party, especially after he died in 2004, history has slowly begun to correct that wrong. Telangana, his home state, has taken the lead in commemorating him as a son of the soil. Institutions, awards, and public memory are beginning to reflect the magnitude of his contributions.
Rao’s leadership was defined by restraint, intellect, and a deep sense of historical responsibility. He did not seek the limelight, nor did he leave behind cult-like followers. Instead, he left behind a resurgent India, armed with the tools of reform, reason, and resilience. His autobiography, The Insider, offers a thinly veiled account of the compromises and challenges of navigating Delhi’s corridors of power, revealing a man more committed to nation-building than self-promotion.
As we honour his memory today, India must not only celebrate his achievements but also emulate his ideals: of inclusive growth, civilizational wisdom, institutional integrity, and dialogue across divides. Rao may have been a silent reformer, but the echoes of his legacy resound louder with each passing year.
