Former prime minister Manmohan Singh says Urjit Patel's resignation is very unfortunate. (File)
Highlights
- "Very unfortunate, a severe blow": Manmohan Singh on Urjit Patel's exit
- "Foolhardy" to diminish RBI for political gains, he added
- Urjit Patel resigned as RBI Governor on Monday
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh today said Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel's resignation is "very unfortunate" and a "severe blow" to the country's economy.
In a statement, he said he hoped that the RBI Governor's sudden resignation is not a harbinger of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's attempts to "destroy" the institutional foundations of India's $3 trillion economy.
Mr Singh said it will be "foolhardy" to diminish institutions for short-term political gains.
Urjit Patel resigned as Reserve Bank of India Governor on Monday amid growing differences with the government over a range of subjects including the central bank's autonomy.
"On account of personal reasons, I have decided to step down from my current position effective immediately," said the 55-year-old in the letter announcing his shock resignation, with over a year left in his term.