Jaswant Singh

Singh was born on 3 January 1938 in the village of Jasol in Rajputana Agency of British India (now Balotra district) of Rajasthan, India in a Rajput family.{{cite news|date=28 November 2018|title=In Rajasthan, Jaswant Singh's Son Banks On Rajput Anger, Father's Legacy|work=NDTV|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-rajasthan-jaswant-singhs-son-banks-on-rajput-anger-fathers-legacy-1954657|url-status=live|access-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811230101/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-rajasthan-jaswant-singhs-son-banks-on-rajput-anger-fathers-legacy-1954657|archive-date=11 August 2019}} His father was Sardar Singh Rathore of Jasol and mother was Kunwar Baisa. Singh was married to Sheetal Kanwar.{{cite web|title=Biographical Sketch of Member of XI Lok Sabha|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/552.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082434/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3AT-SKcSfG0r0J%3Aloksabhaph.nic.in%2Fwritereaddata%2Fbiodata_1_12%2F552.htm&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1&vwsrc=0|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=Lok Sabha}} They had two sons. His elder son, Manvendra Singh, is a former Member of Parliament from Barmer.{{cite web|date=16 July 2012|title=Jaswant Singh [Biography] BJP Leader|url=https://matpal.com/2012/07/jaswant-singh-biography-bjp-leader.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722230601/http://www.matpal.com/2012/07/jaswant-singh-biography-bjp-leader.html|archive-date=22 July 2012|access-date=31 December 2020|website=Matpal|language=en-CA}} He was an officer in the Indian Army in the 1960s and was an alumnus of Mayo College and the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=RIP Jaswant Singh: Ex-Army Officer, Outstanding Parliamentarian|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/former-union-minister-jaswant-singh-passed-away-foreign-defense-finance-minister|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082338/https://www.thequint.com/news/india/former-union-minister-jaswant-singh-passed-away-foreign-defense-finance-minister|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=TheQuint|language=en}}

After his education from the National Defence Academy, he was enrolled in the Indian Army in the year 1957 and was designated to the position of the Captain in the Central India Horse unit.{{Cite news |last=Kulkarni |first=Sushant |date=7 September 2020 |title=Jaswant Singh- An exemplary cade, excellent horsemen & writer|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jaswant-singh-an-exemplary-cadet-excellent-horseman-writer-6618321/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=17 March 2025}} And he was also a participant of Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and was the commander of his unit. He was a Major at the time of Sino-Indian border dispute of the year 1965 after which he retired from the Indian Army in the next year to join politics after serving in the Armed forces for 10 years.{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh dead: From key figure in Vajpayee govt to BJP rebel|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jaswant-singh-dead-6617567/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022153045/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jaswant-singh-dead-6617567/|archive-date=22 October 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh's tumultuous career was marked by revival of India-US ties, ignominy of Kandahar hijacking|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/jaswant-singhs-tumultuous-career-was-marked-by-revival-of-india-us-ties-ignominy-of-kandahar-hijacking-8856201.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101184316/https://www.firstpost.com/india/jaswant-singhs-tumultuous-career-was-marked-by-revival-of-india-us-ties-ignominy-of-kandahar-hijacking-8856201.html|archive-date=1 November 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Firstpost}} He was a close accompany of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and made his links with Bharatiya Jana Sangh.{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh: Former Army Major and ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 'Man Friday'|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/rip-jaswant-singh-former-army-major-and-ex-pm-atal-bihari-vajpayees-man-friday-2312753.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021050249/https://zeenews.india.com/india/rip-jaswant-singh-former-army-major-and-ex-pm-atal-bihari-vajpayees-man-friday-2312753.html|archive-date=21 October 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Zee News|language=en}} He was a member and associate of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh from the 1960s.{{cite web|date=19 August 2009|title=RSS must also introspect about their organisation: Jaswant|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/rss-must-also-introspect-about-their-organisation-jaswant/story-IpqrAoZP5nCjW3j4UCWDWO.html|access-date=31 December 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}

File:Vladimir Putin with Jaswant Singh-1.jpg in 2000.]]

In the government of Vajpayee, Singh was External Affairs Minister, and later went on to become the Finance Minister.{{cite web|last=Saxena|first=Sparshita|date=27 September 2020|title=Leaders across party lines condole former Union minister Jaswant Singh's demise|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/leaders-across-party-lines-condole-former-union-minister-jaswant-singh-s-demise/story-W5ceHi24GSXjDQ9D5KVVlL.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012036/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/leaders-across-party-lines-condole-former-union-minister-jaswant-singh-s-demise/story-W5ceHi24GSXjDQ9D5KVVlL.html|archive-date=28 December 2020|access-date=31 December 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}} He was also the Defence Minister when George Fernandes was forced to resign after the Tehelka exposure.{{cite web|date=26 March 2001|first1=Harinder|last1=Baweja|first2=Raj|last2=Chengappa|title=Post-Tehelka scandal, George Fernandes hands over his resignation letter|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20010326-post-tehelka-scandal-george-fernandes-hands-over-his-resignation-letter-775472-2001-03-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082408/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20010326-post-tehelka-scandal-george-fernandes-hands-over-his-resignation-letter-775472-2001-03-26|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=India Today|language=en}}

Singh is widely regarded for his handling of relations with the United States which were strained after the 1998 Indian nuclear tests but which ameliorated soon after culminating in the 2000 visit of U.S. President Bill Clinton to India. His skill as a negotiator and diplomat during talks with the United States has been well acknowledged by his U.S. counterpart Strobe Talbott.{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh's illustrious political legacy— A snapshot|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/jaswant-singhs-illustrious-political-legacy-a-snapshot-893642.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082415/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/jaswant-singhs-illustrious-political-legacy-a-snapshot-893642.html|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}

Singh has been frequently criticised by political parties for escorting terrorists to Kandhahar, Afghanistan. They were released by the Government of India in exchange for passengers from the hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC 814.{{cite news|date=28 July 2006|title=I am bewildered: Jaswant|work=The Hindu|location=Chennai|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/28/stories/2006072820621700.htm|url-status=dead|access-date=29 July 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818165611/http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/28/stories/2006072820621700.htm|archive-date=18 August 2006}}

Singh was denied a Member of Parliament ticket for Barmer by BJP for the 2014 Indian general election over Col. Sonaram Choudhary. Unhappy, Singh filed his nomination as an independent candidate from Barmer constituency.{{cite web|date=24 March 2014|title=Defiant Jaswant takes on Modi, dares BJP to sack him|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/highlights/story/jaswant-singh-quits-bjp-to-contest-from-barmer-independent-186070-2014-03-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324141040/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jaswant-singh-quits-bjp-to-contest-from-barmer-independent/1/350982.html|archive-date=24 March 2014|access-date=31 December 2020|website=India Today|language=en}} Subsequently, he was expelled from BJP for six years{{Cite news|title=General elections 2014: Senior leader Jaswant Singh expelled from BJP for six years|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/general-elections-2014-senior-leader-jaswant-singh-expelled-from-bjp-for-six-years/articleshow/32922162.cms|url-status=live|access-date=31 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330095658/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/general-elections-2014-senior-leader-jaswant-singh-expelled-from-bjp-for-six-years/articleshow/32922162.cms|archive-date=30 March 2014}} and lost the election.{{cite news|date=17 May 2014|title=Election Results: Jaswant goes down fighting in Barmer|work=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Election-Results-Jaswant-goes-down-fighting-in-Barmer/articleshow/35233048.cms|url-status=live|access-date=17 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519203131/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Election-Results-Jaswant-goes-down-fighting-in-Barmer/articleshow/35233048.cms|archive-date=19 May 2014}}

Singh entered politics in the 1960s, with the first few years of his political life seeing limited recognition, until he was initiated in the Jan Sangh. He tasted success in his political career in 1980 when he was first selected for the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian parliament.{{cite web|title=The Dates That Defined the Life and Times of Jaswant Singh (1938-2020)|url=https://thewire.in/politics/jaswant-singh-passes-away-timeline-chronology-minister|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082339/https://thewire.in/politics/jaswant-singh-passes-away-timeline-chronology-minister|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=The Wire}} He served as Finance minister in the short-lived government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which lasted just from 16 May 1996, to 1 June 1996. After Vajpayee became Prime Minister again two years later, he became Minister for External Affairs of India, serving from 5 December 1998 until 1 July 2002. Responsible for foreign policy, he dealt with high tensions between India and Pakistan.{{cite web|date=28 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh, advocate of peace with Pakistan, dies at 82|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1581964|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004155346/https://www.dawn.com/news/1581964|archive-date=4 October 2020|access-date=5 January 2021|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}} In July 2002 he became Finance Minister again, switching posts with Yashwant Sinha. He served as Finance Minister until the defeat of the Vajpayee government in May 2004 and was instrumental in defining and pushing through the market-friendly reforms of the government.{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh's illustrious political legacy— A snapshot|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/jaswant-singhs-illustrious-political-legacy-a-snapshot-893642.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082343/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/jaswant-singhs-illustrious-political-legacy-a-snapshot-893642.html|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}} He was conferred the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award for the year 2001.{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=RIP Jaswant Singh: Ex-Army Officer, Outstanding Parliamentarian|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/former-union-minister-jaswant-singh-passed-away-foreign-defense-finance-minister|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082349/https://www.thequint.com/news/india/former-union-minister-jaswant-singh-passed-away-foreign-defense-finance-minister|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=TheQuint|language=en}} On 19 August 2009, he was expelled from BJP after criticism over his remarks in his book which allegedly praised the founder of Pakistan in his book Jinnah – India, Partition, Independence.{{Cite news|title=Jaswant Singh expelled from BJP|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/jaswant-singh-expelled-from-bjp/articleshow/4910265.cms|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082400/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/jaswant-singh-expelled-from-bjp/articleshow/4910265.cms|archive-date=27 September 2020}} His last major position was as Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 2004 to 2009.

He was denied a ticket by the party to contest the 2014 Lok Sabha Parliamentary Elections from the Barmer-Jaisalmer constituency in Rajasthan. He was subsequently expelled from the BJP after deciding to contest the elections as an independent candidate and lost to his former party's candidate Col. Sonaram Choudhary.{{Sfn|Singh|2013d|p=viii (167-169)}} Jaswant Singh was elected from Darjeeling Seat from the year 2009 to 2014.{{Sfn|Rana and Singh||p=394}}

Jaswant Singh held many ministries under the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, including several important such as Defence, External Affairs and Finance.{{Efn|Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Singh handled key ministries such as Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Finance.{{cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/former-union-minister-jaswant-singh-passes-away-at-82-news-updates/2092632/|last=Sherwani|first=Affa Khanum|author-link=Arfa Khanum Sherwani|title=Former union minister Jaswant Singh passes away at 82|website=The Wire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003033034/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/former-union-minister-jaswant-singh-passes-away-at-82-news-updates/2092632/|archive-date=3 October 2020|access-date=14 October 2020}} [https://thewire.in/tag/jaswant-singh Alt URL]}} He has also held many important positions including that of Electronics and Science and Technology.{{cite web|title=Jaswant Singh passes away: Full list of positions held by the former Union Minister|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/jaswant-singh-passes-away-full-list-of-positions-held-by-the-former-union-minister|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082426/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/jaswant-singh-passes-away-full-list-of-positions-held-by-the-former-union-minister|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=Free Press Journal|language=en}}

File:The Union Finance Minister Shri Jaswant Singh entering Parliament to present Interim General Budget in New Delhi on February 03, 2004.jpgSingh remained as the Minister of Finance in the short-lived government of First Vajpayee government from 16 May 1996 to 1 June 1996. In the short-lived government where he was Minister for just 24 days and there was also economic difficulty, a crisis due to the political instability, and there was a loss of employment similar to the 1991 Indian economic crisis which lead to the decline in the value of Indian currency.{{cite web|last=Saxena|first=Shweta Chandan|date=March 2003|title=Rise and fall in Indian Economy (1991-2000)|url=https://www.imf.org/External/Pubs/FT/staffp/2002/03/pdf/cerra.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830184013/https://www.imf.org/External/Pubs/FT/staffp/2002/03/pdf/cerra.pdf|archive-date=30 August 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=IMF}} It was followed by the instability after the fall of Narsimha Rao government.{{cite web|last=Agrawal|first=Amol|date=24 February 2018|title=Banking crises: An Indian history|url=https://www.livemint.com/Sundayapp/fjheowjLjiFNsGcjzVZXsO/Banking-crises-An-Indian-history.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109043146/https://www.livemint.com/Sundayapp/fjheowjLjiFNsGcjzVZXsO/Banking-crises-An-Indian-history.html|archive-date=9 November 2020|access-date=14 October 2020|website=mint|language=en}} After this there was a 1996 Bank Scam after this the fall of Atal Bihari Government automatically Singh was removed from the position and succeeded to P. Chidambaram for the position.{{cite web|title=Former chairman of Indian Bank gets 3-yr jail in fraud case|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jun/12/former-chairman-of-indian-bank-gets-3-yr-jail-in-fraud-case-1989137.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702004608/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jun/12/former-chairman-of-indian-bank-gets-3-yr-jail-in-fraud-case-1989137.html|archive-date=2 July 2020|access-date=14 October 2020|website=The New Indian Express|date=12 June 2019 }}

After Atal Bihari Vajpayee becomes the Prime Minister of India for the second time in the year 1998, then Singh was appointed as the Minister of External Affairs and succeeded Atal Bihari Vajpayee himself for the position.{{cite web|last=Malhotra|first=Jyoti|date=27 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh — communicator, crisis manager, man of letters and a student of history|url=https://theprint.in/politics/jaswant-singh-communicator-crisis-manager-man-of-letters-and-a-student-of-history/511468/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127023650/https://theprint.in/politics/jaswant-singh-communicator-crisis-manager-man-of-letters-and-a-student-of-history/511468/|archive-date=27 November 2020|access-date=14 October 2020|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}} He was at that time first Rajasthani to be a Minister of External Affairs of India at Union level in the Central Government.{{Efn|Jaswant Singh Was The Only Leader From Rajasthan Who Had The Distinction Of Becoming The Minister Of External Affairs.{{cite web|date=28 September 2020|title=जसवंत सिंह राजस्थान के एक मात्र ऐसे नेता रहे, जिन्हाेंने विदेश, वित्त और रक्षा मंत्री बनने का गौरव प्राप्त किया|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/rajasthan/jaipur/news/jaswant-singh-was-the-only-leader-from-rajasthan-who-had-the-distinction-of-becoming-the-minister-of-external-affairs-finance-and-defense-127760121.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016055208/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/rajasthan/jaipur/news/jaswant-singh-was-the-only-leader-from-rajasthan-who-had-the-distinction-of-becoming-the-minister-of-external-affairs-finance-and-defense-127760121.html|archive-date=16 October 2020|access-date=14 October 2020|website=Dainik Bhaskar|language=hi}}}} Singh has been one of the most trusted man of Vajpayee and was given task of making good international relation with other nations.{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh: An astute politician and Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 'Man Friday'|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-jaswant-singh-an-astute-politician-and-atal-bihari-vajpayee-s-man-friday-2845679|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015065614/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-jaswant-singh-an-astute-politician-and-atal-bihari-vajpayee-s-man-friday-2845679|archive-date=15 October 2020|access-date=30 December 2020|website=DNA India|language=en}} He has been represented nation at international level in the times of Kargil War and India's nuclear test. He was one of the Indian crisis management team who went to Kandahar after the IC 814 plane hijack.{{cite web|title=I Began To Change|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/i-began-to-change/231929|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115132403/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/i-began-to-change/231929|archive-date=15 November 2017|access-date=14 October 2020|website=Outlook India|date=20 July 2006 }} He remained Minister till 5 December 2002 after the removal of George Fernandes due to the Tehelka conspirancy. As the Minister of External Affairs he launched the first free-trade agreement (with Sri Lanka) in South Asia's history, initiated India's most daring diplomatic opening to Pakistan, revitalised relations with the US, and reoriented the Indian military, abandoning its Soviet-inspired doctrines and weaponry for close ties with the West.{{Cite news|last=Hebbar|first=Nistula|date=27 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh {{!}} A soldier-turned-politician bids adieu|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jaswant-singh-a-soldier-turned-politician-bids-adieu/article32707147.ece|url-status=live|access-date=15 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227060037/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jaswant-singh-a-soldier-turned-politician-bids-adieu/article32707147.ece|archive-date=27 December 2020|issn=0971-751X}}

{{Main|Pokhran-II}}

File:Vladimir Putin in India 2-5 October 2000-1.jpg in 2000.]] BJP, came to power in 1998 general elections with an exclusive public mandate. BJP's political might had been growing steadily over the past decade over several issues.{{cite web|title=India's Nuclear Weapons Program - Operation Shakti: 1998|url=http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/India/IndiaShakti.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108060901/http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/India/IndiaShakti.html|archive-date=8 November 2020|access-date=14 October 2020|website=nuclearweaponarchive.org}} At that time after the successful test of the Second Nuclear Bomb it was considered a masterstroke by the government, it was said that Singh along with Atal Bihari Vajpayee and George Fernandes were the one who played the important role in the functioning.{{Efn|The triumvirate consisted of Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, Defence Minister George Fernandes and Jaswant Singh. There were a handful more, politicians and scientists, who were in the know of the top-secret mission which was code-named, ‘Operation Shakthi’.{{cite news|url=https://www.siasat.com/jaswant-singh-had-played-a-key-role-in-pokhran-1998-nuclear-test-1985450/|title=Jaswant Singh had played a key role in Pokhran 1998 nuclear test|website=The Siasat Daily|access-date=15 October 2020|date=28 September 2020}}}} He was one of the members of "Operation Shakti" and among the 12 people who knew about the secret mission.{{cite web|last=Gupta|first=Shekhar|author-link=Shekhar Gupta|date=11 May 2018|title=Pokhran anniversary: How India pulled a fast one on the Americans|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/pokhran-anniversary-how-india-pulled-a-fast-one-on-the-americans/57607/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130120522/https://theprint.in/opinion/pokhran-anniversary-how-india-pulled-a-fast-one-on-the-americans/57607/|archive-date=30 November 2020|access-date=14 October 2020|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}} His most essential role came into existence after there were made international pressure on the nation due to the secrecy of the mission when Atal Bihari Vajpayee made a public announcement for the mission.{{cite web|title=BBC News {{!}} india nuclear testing {{!}} Third World joins the nuclear club|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/events/asia_nuclear_crisis/analysis/92783.stm|access-date=14 October 2020|website=news.bbc.co.uk}} At that time strong criticism was drawn from Canada on India's actions and its High Commissioner. Sanctions were also imposed by Japan on India and consisted of freezing all new loans and grants except for humanitarian aid to India.{{Cite news|last=Haidar|first=Suhasini|date=31 August 2014|title=East meets Far East|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/east-meets-far-east/article6365598.ece|access-date=14 October 2020|issn=0971-751X}}{{cite web|date=3 April 2012|title=Japan lifts India, Pakistan sanctions - CNN|work=CNN |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2001-10-26/world/japan.sanctions_1_pakistan-sanctions-pakistan-and-india-nuclear-testing?_s=PM:asiapcf|access-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403005307/http://articles.cnn.com/2001-10-26/world/japan.sanctions_1_pakistan-sanctions-pakistan-and-india-nuclear-testing?_s=PM:asiapcf|archive-date=3 April 2012}} Some other nations also imposed sanctions on India, primarily in the form of suspension of foreign aid to India and government-to-government credit lines. However, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia refrained from condemning India.Charan D. Wadhwa (27 June – 3 July 1998). "Costs of Economic Sanctions: Aftermath of Pokhran II". Economic and Political Weekly. 33 (26): 1604–1607. {{JSTOR|4406922}}. The biggest affect was on the relations of India with United States and there were made many restrictions on India and at that time Singh managed to control America at United Nations.Dittmer, L., ed. (2005). South Asia's nuclear security dilemma: India, Pakistan, and China. Armonk, NY: Sharpe. {{ISBN|978-0-7656-1419-3}}.

{{Main|Kargil War}}

{{External media|title=Talk by Jaswant Singh|caption=Jaswant Singh|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hishYOzDGB0 Talk and Beyond]. Published on 16 January 2020 on YouTube.}}

After the Kargil War and the win of Indian Armed forces in July 1999 the use of WMD led to a serious pressure of the world on India and this was led by the anger of United States against India due to Pokhran-II Nuclear test series and supported in the favour of Pakistan.{{cite web|last= Malik|first=V. P.|title=When Jaswant Singh got angry during Kargil war|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/sep/28/when-jaswant-singh-got-angry-during-kargil-war-2202771.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028050442/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/sep/28/when-jaswant-singh-got-angry-during-kargil-war-2202771.html|archive-date=28 October 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=The New Indian Express|date=28 September 2020 }} At that time Singh was the one who represented India at the international level and had made many interviews with news channels and also made diplomatic talks with leaders and representatives of the United States], China, France, and many other nations.{{cite web|title=Rediff On The NeT Special: Jaswant Singh looks back at the Kargil conflict|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/1999/jul/28jas.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727032855/https://www.rediff.com/news/1999/jul/28jas.htm|archive-date=27 July 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=www.rediff.com}} After that Singh made an interview with Atal Bihari Vajpayee in which to strengthening the position of Indian Government there was a release of a leaked conversation of Pervez Musharraf in which he admitted that he was involved in the attack on India in Kargil district in 1999 and that he also planned an attack to kill Nawaz Sharif and become the President of Pakistan.{{cite web|title=Rediff On The NeT: Excerpts of the conversation between Gen Musharraf and Lt Gen Aziz|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/1999/jun/11talk.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108181513/https://www.rediff.com/news/1999/jun/11talk.htm|archive-date=8 November 2019|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Rediff.com}} This was known to be a masterpiece and led to a very strong point resulting in the India's diplomatic relations and proving the burden of war on General Musharraf.{{cite web|title=Release of Kargil tape: Masterpiece or blunder?|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jun/27raman.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018143530/https://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jun/27raman.htm|archive-date=18 October 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Rediff.com}} After that India was freed from allegations of the Kargil War.{{Sfn|Singh||p=38}}

{{Main|Indian Airlines Flight 814#Political aftermath}}

The terrorists of Taliban hijacked the Indian Airlines Flight 814 on 24 December 1999 on the Tribhuvan International Airport of Kathmandu, Nepal. The motive for the hijacking apparently was to secure the release of Islamist figures held in prison in India. The hostage crisis lasted for seven days and ended after India agreed to release three militants – Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mulana Masood Azhar.{{cite web|date=15 July 2002|title=Omar Sheikh sentenced to death in Pearl murder case|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2002/jul/15pak.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017033416/https://www.rediff.com/news/2002/jul/15pak.htm|archive-date=17 October 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Rediff.com}}{{cite news |last1=Dhawan |first1=Himanshi |title=ISI backed Kandahar hijackers: Plane crisis negotiator Ajit Doval |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/isi-backed-kandahar-hijackers-plane-crisis-negotiator-ajit-doval/articleshow/56558139.cms |access-date=23 April 2022 |work=The Economic Times |date=12 July 2018}} This hijack was also helped by Dawood Ibrahim and Al-Qaeda linked Jihadis.{{Cite book|last=Riedel|first=Bruce O.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ULgk7_oWB1EC&pg=PA58|title=Deadly Embrace: Pakistan, America, and the Future of the Global Jihad|date=2012|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|isbn=978-0-8157-2274-8|language=en}} Then after too much suggestions and pressure then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee agrees on the demand of the hijackers of Taliban and sends Ajit Doval in Kandahar and after that Vajpayee decided to send Singh as he was one of the most trusted men. He was sent to Kandahar of Afghanistan to escort the terrorists and take back the crew members.{{Cite news|title=Jaswant flying with terrorists was not good idea: Kandahar negotiator|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/jaswant-flying-with-terrorists-was-not-good-idea-kandahar-negotiator/articleshow/5386396.cms|url-status=dead|access-date=15 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018191915/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/jaswant-flying-with-terrorists-was-not-good-idea-kandahar-negotiator/articleshow/5386396.cms|archive-date=18 October 2020}} It was also said that Singh has made a secret talks with Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil and made an agreement of 3 terrorists in exchange of 170 crew members including men, women and children.{{cite web|last=Singh|first=Omkar|date=21 July 2006|title=Jaswant Singh's version of the Kandahar hijack|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2006/jul/21onkar1.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729074630/https://www.rediff.com/news/2006/jul/21onkar1.htm|archive-date=29 July 2019|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Rediff.com}} Later terrorists also demanded 900 crores rupees and 36 other terrorists, but somehow it was denied.{{Sfn|Singh||p=76}} On 31 December 1999 on New Year of 2000 all 176 were released and they all landed to Indira Gandhi International Airport.{{cite web|last1=Venkatesan|first1=V.|last2=Subramanian|first2=T. S.|date=8 December 2000|title=An eight-day ordeal|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30253146.ece|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016221548/https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30253146.ece|archive-date=16 October 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Frontline|language=en}}

The incident is seen as a failure of the BJP government under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and IB chief Ajit Doval said that India would have had a stronger negotiating hand if the aircraft had not been allowed to leave Indian territory.{{cite web|last=Iqbal|first=Aadil Ikram Zaki|date=24 December 2015|title=Kandahar Hijack: Revisit story of five terrorists bringing India on its knees|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/kandahar-hijack-revisit-the-story-of-five-terrorists-bringing-india-on-its-knees-trading-176-lives-for-3-terrorists-810146/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112032628/https://www.india.com/news/india/kandahar-hijack-revisit-the-story-of-five-terrorists-bringing-india-on-its-knees-trading-176-lives-for-3-terrorists-810146/|archive-date=12 November 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News {{!}} India.com|language=en}} Doval, the IB chief, who led the four-member negotiating team to Kandahar, described the whole incident as a "diplomatic failure" of the government in their inability to make the US and UAE use their influence to help secure a quick release of the passengers.{{cite web|last=Kaul|first=Sumir|date=24 December 2009|title=IC-814 was India's 'Diplomatic Failure': Doval|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/ic-814-was-indias-diplomatic-failure-doval/671686|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017231033/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/ic-814-was-indias-diplomatic-failure-doval/671686|archive-date=17 October 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Outlook India}} Singh also received criticism for praising the Taliban for their co-operation after the hostages had been returned.{{cite web|title=Failure of diplomacy|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30253144.ece|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Frontline|date=7 January 2000 |language=en}}

File:Defense.gov News Photo 010406-D-9880W-020.jpg.]]

Singh was appointed as the Minister of Defence of India in the year 2000 after minister before him, George Fernandes was convicted in the Tehelka case and was forced to resign from his position.{{Cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Former cabinet minister, founding member of BJP, Jaswant Singh dies at 82|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/former-defence-minister-jaswant-singh-passes-away-at-82-pm-pays-condolence-120092700129_1.html|url-status=live|access-date=29 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103070702/https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/former-defence-minister-jaswant-singh-passes-away-at-82-pm-pays-condolence-120092700129_1.html|archive-date=3 November 2020}} He remained as the Minister from 2000 to 2001 after which Fernandes was re-appointed as the Minister of Defence after getting cleanchit in the conspiracy.{{cite web|title=Jaswant Singh|url=https://www.indiainfoline.com/finance-ministers-of-india/jaswant-singh|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704084821/http://www.indiainfoline.com/finance-ministers-of-india/jaswant-singh|archive-date=4 July 2017|access-date=29 December 2020|website=India Infoline}} After that in the year 2002 he was re-appointed as the Minister of Finance of India in the Vajpayee Government.The Vajpayee's ji re-appointment as Prime Minister was a new thing and a new dawn of democracy and also chances for the new outcomes.({{Harvard citation no brackets|Singh|pp=256–258}})

File:Composition of indias agricultural output in 2003-04.png

After returning of George Fernandes as the Defence Minister for the second time after getting cleanchit in Tehelka case, Singh was appointed as the Union Minister of Finance in 2002 and remained till 2004 after the Vajpayee Government lost the 2004 General Election and passed the position to P. Chidambaram. In his reign of 2 years for the second time he has been known to make market-friendly reforms in the Economy of India and due to his good diplomatic skills and good relations with other nations from the times when he was the Minister of External Affairs.{{cite web|title=Finance Ministers who shaped India's economy - Pillars of Indian economy|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/finance-ministers-who-shaped-indias-economy/jaswant-singh-2002-2004/slideshow/67521663.cms|access-date=15 October 2020|website=The Economic Times}}

In late 2002 and 2003 the government pushed through economic reforms.{{cite web|title=India's economy grows 8.2% in 2020-2004|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-06/30/content_344346.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611095603/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-06/30/content_344346.htm|archive-date=11 June 2009|access-date=17 October 2020|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}} Due to the good administration of Jaswant Singh the country's GDP growth exceeded 7% every year from 2003 to 2007, following three years of sub-5% growth.{{cite web|title=GDP growth (annual %) - India {{!}} Data|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=IN|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818052213/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=IN|archive-date=18 August 2018|access-date=17 October 2020|website=World Bank}} Increasing foreign investment, modernisation of public and industrial infrastructure, the creation of jobs, a rising high-tech and IT industry and urban modernisation and expansion improved the nation's international image. Good crop harvests and strong industrial expansion also helped the economy.{{Cite news|last=Rai|first=Saritha|date=1 April 2004|title=India's Economy Soared by 10% in Last Quarter of 2003 (Published 2004)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/01/business/india-s-economy-soared-by-10-in-last-quarter-of-2003.html|url-status=live|access-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818022529/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/01/business/india-s-economy-soared-by-10-in-last-quarter-of-2003.html|archive-date=18 August 2018|issn=0362-4331}} The rate of stock growth under him as the Finance Ministry was also at one of the highest points in the Indian Economic Growth groth history under the period of two years of his ministry and the Inflation rate was also very much good in the period of the two years.{{cite web|date=14 April 2010|title=World Economy Situation|url=http://biblioteca.hegoa.ehu.es/downloads/14021/%2Fsystem%2Fpdf%2F944%2FWorld_Economic_Situation_and_Prospects_2004.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929213534/http://biblioteca.hegoa.ehu.es/downloads/14021/%2Fsystem%2Fpdf%2F944%2FWorld_Economic_Situation_and_Prospects_2004.pdf|archive-date=29 September 2020|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Bibliotecha}} From 2002 to 2004, the economy of India was one of the fastest growing in the world and one of the leading agricultural nations and second most output after China.{{cite web|date=16 November 2011|title=Investing In Health For Economic Development |url=http://who.int/macrohealth/action/sintesis15novingles.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907070136/http://who.int/macrohealth/action/sintesis15novingles.pdf|archive-date=7 September 2020|access-date=10 October 2020|website=Macro Health}}{{cite web|title=Indian Agriculture|url=http://www.ficciagroindia.com/indian-agriculture/indian-agriculture.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225074057/http://www.ficciagroindia.com/indian-agriculture/indian-agriculture.htm|archive-date=25 February 2008|access-date=17 October 2008|website=FICCI}}

==Positions and offices==

Jaswant Singh was appointed as the Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha for the fourth time in the year 1999 and after the formation of the Vajpayee Government he was appointed as the Leader of Rajya Sabha on 13 October 1999 and remained till the time of fall of the Vajpayee Government on 22 May 2004 and succeeded the position to then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.{{cite web|title=Rajya Sabha-Former Leader of House|url=https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/whoswho/former_leader_of_house.asp|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112195200/https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/whoswho/former_leader_of_house.asp|archive-date=12 November 2020|access-date=5 November 2020|website=rajyasabha.nic.in}} In the time period Jaswant Singh held many crucial positions and ministries and before that he was previously serving in the position of Minister of External Affairs of India at Union Government and in this period he served as Minister of Defence and Finance.{{Efn|Jaswant Singh positions from 1999 to 2004 as the Leader of Rajya Sabha;

• December 1998 – July 2000 – Union Cabinet Minister, External Affairs.
• February 1999 – October 1999 – Union Cabinet Minister, Electronics (Simultaneous charge).
• August 1999 – October 1999 – Union Cabinet Minister, Surface Transport (Simultaneous charge).
• March 2001 – October 2001 – Union Cabinet Minister, Defence (Simultaneous charges).
• July 2002 – April 2004 – Union Minister, Finance & Company Affairs.
• April 2002 – May 2004 – Union Cabinet Minister, Finance.}}

After the Vajpayee's government fell down and after that Singh who was earlier a Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha from the state of Rajasthan was appointed as the Leader of Opposition of Rajya Sabha and hold the position for a time period of 5 years from 2004 to 2009.{{cite web|last=Srivastava|first=Rajaram|date=28 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh: An erudite liberal, democratic from aristocratic background - The News Now|url=http://www.thenewsnow.co.in/newsdet.aspx?q=115916|access-date=5 November 2020|website=www.thenewsnow}} The mastermind of Rajasthan, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat when was appointed as the Vice-President of India and at that time Singh took the responsibility of strengthening the party in Central level and main focus in the state of Rajasthan.{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh: A soft-spoken former Army officer, astute politician|url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/obituary/jaswant-singh-a-soft-spoken-former-army-officer-astute-politician|access-date=5 November 2020|website=National Herald|language=en}} After the fall of National Democratic Alliance in the year 2004 and the weakening of senior-BJP leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Murli Manohar Joshi, Lal Krishna Advani and the politics of other big leaders like Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in central level, Singh as the leader of Opposition shifted his politics for the strengthening of the party in ground roots and in state levels in states of Western India such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and specially Rajasthan.{{cite web|title=BJP not fit to govern India: Jaswant Singh|url=http://www.coastaldigest.com/bjp-not-fit-govern-india-jaswant-singh|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111000430/http://www.coastaldigest.com/bjp-not-fit-govern-india-jaswant-singh|archive-date=11 November 2020|access-date=5 November 2020|website=coastaldigest.com - The Trusted News Portal of India|language=en}}{{cite web|last=Tyagi|first=Hiralal|date=28 September 2020|title=Outlook India Photo Gallery - Jaswant Singh|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/photos/people/jaswant-singh/1494|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103164747/https://www.outlookindia.com/photos/people/jaswant-singh/1494|archive-date=3 November 2020|access-date=5 November 2020|website=Outlookindia}} Under this period Singh also served many non political position in the Indian government remaining as the leader of Opposition including: "Member of Committee for General purposes (from 2005-2006)", "Member, Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests (from August 2004 to August 2004)" and "Member of Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Installation of Portraits/Statues of National Leaders and Parliamentarians in Parliament House Complex (August 2004{{Spaced en dash}}May 2009)". After that then he was expelled from the party.File:Shri Jaswant Singh filing the nomination papers for the Vice Presidential election, at Parliament, in New Delhi on July 20, 2012. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Smt. Sushma Swaraj and other dignitaries are also seen.jpg, along with Sushma Swaraj(left) and L K Advani(backward).]]

{{Main|2012 Indian vice presidential election}}

He was the candidate for the post of Vice-president for the NDA in 2012. Singh had filed his nomination papers on 20 July in the presence of National Democratic Alliance coalition leaders.{{cite web|date=3 August 2012|title=Ansari may write to MPs of UPA and supporting parties|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-ansari-may-write-to-mps-of-upa-and-supporting-parties-1723691|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925014327/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ansari-may-write-to-mps-of-upa-and-supporting-parties_1723691|archive-date=25 September 2015|access-date=30 December 2020|website=DNA India|language=en}} Three sets of papers- one each by L. K. Advani, Sumitra Mahajan and Yashwant Sinha, supporting Singh's candidature were submitted to the returning officer Viswanathan. His candidature was announced by the NDA on 16 July.{{cite web|date=16 July 2012|title=Jaswant Singh to give stature to vice-president poll contest|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-jaswant-singh-to-give-stature-to-vice-president-poll-contest-1715752|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925014616/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_jaswant-singh-to-give-stature-to-vice-president-poll-contest_1715752|archive-date=25 September 2015|access-date=30 December 2020|website=DNA India|language=en}} He meet All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Jayalalithaa and Naveen Patnaik of Biju Janata Dal on 6 August asking them to support his candidature. He lost to Hamid Ansari who was the UPA's Vice-presidential candidate.{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jaswant-Singh-to-challenge-Hamid-Ansari-for-Vice-Presidents-post/articleshow/14992470.cms| title=Jaswant Singh to challenge Hamid Ansari test Vice-President's post| date=16 July 2012| access-date=3 July 2013| archive-date=24 December 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224123953/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-16/india/32697388_1_nda-meeting-nda-candidate-hamid-ansari| work=The Times of India| url-status=live}} In the Election he got 238 seats and received 32.69% of the votes, while Hamid Ansari got 490 seats and received 67.31% of the votes.{{cite web|title=2012 Vice-Presidential Election|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/Current/PN03072012.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009192734/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/Current/PN03072012.pdf|archive-date=9 October 2017|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Election Commission of India}}

• A controversy erupted immediately after the release of his book, "A Call to Honour," in which Singh insinuated that a mole had existed in the Prime Ministerial Office during the tenure of P. V. Narasimha Rao, who had leaked information to U.S. sources about India's nuclear tests. Soon after, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh challenged him to name the mole. In response, Singh sent a letter to him. The letter, Manmohan Singh said later, had no signature, and no name of any mole. Jaswant Singh then backed off, saying his views on the subject were based on a "hunch".{{cite web|date=7 August 2006|title=The mole has taken its toll|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/the-mole-has-taken-its-toll/story-0FxH3pPSGiCsVHizbBPfkO.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082416/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/the-mole-has-taken-its-toll/story-0FxH3pPSGiCsVHizbBPfkO.html|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}{{cite web|date=26 July 2006|title=Spy in the cold: Jaswant backtracks on mole statement - Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/spy-in-the-cold-jaswant-backtracks-on--mole-/9296/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082416/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/spy-in-the-cold-jaswant-backtracks-on--mole-/9296/|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}
• Controversy hovered around him again when on 17 August 2009 another book authored by him, entitled Jinnah: India-Partition-Independence, was released. In this he praised Muhammad Ali Jinnah and claimed that the centralised policy of Jawaharlal Nehru was responsible for partition.{{cite news|title=Nehru not Jinnah's polity led to partition|publisher=Jai Bihar|url=http://jaibihar.com/nehru-patel-conceded-pakistan-to-jinnah-jaswant/11301/|url-status=dead|access-date=19 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822004045/http://jaibihar.com/nehru-patel-conceded-pakistan-to-jinnah-jaswant/11301/|archive-date=22 August 2009}} He was later expelled from the primary membership of BJP as a result of the ensuing controversy.{{cite news|date=19 August 2009|title=Jaswant Singh expelled over Jinnah remarks|publisher=Jai Bihar|url=http://jaibihar.com/jaswant-singh-expelled-over-jinnah-remarks/11454/|url-status=dead|access-date=19 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821162128/http://jaibihar.com/jaswant-singh-expelled-over-jinnah-remarks/11454/|archive-date=21 August 2009}} In interviews with media he quoted BJP as narrow-minded and to have limited thought. In 2010, he was readmitted to BJP.{{cite web |url=http://english.samaylive.com/nation/676466702.html |title=Jaswant returns to BJP |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627073915/http://english.samaylive.com/nation/676466702.html |archive-date=27 June 2010 }}

{{Quote box

| title = Statement on Singh's death

| quote = It is with profound grief that we inform you about the sad demise of Hon’ble Major Jaswant Singh (Retd), former Cabinet Minister of Government of India at 6:55 a.m. on September 27, 2020. He was admitted on June 25, 2020, and being treated for Sepsis with Multiorgan Dysfunction Syndrome and effects of Severe Head Injury old (Optd) had a cardiac arrest this morning,”

| author = Naresh Raj

| source = Army Research and Referral Hospital{{Efn|Singh, a former Army officer, had been ill after a fall at his home in August 2014 and was admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital. He had been in and out of the hospital and was admitted again in June 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/dh-galleries/photos/jaswant-singh-1938-2020-a-life-in-pictures-893638|title=Jaswant Singh (1938-2020): A life in pictures|date=2020-09-27|language=en|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=2020-11-02|last=Singh|first=Rakesh}}}}

| align = left

| width = 500px

| bgcolor = #00FF00

| title_bg = #ADD8E6

}}

In June 2020, Singh was admitted to the Delhi's Army Hospital Research and Referral and was being treated for sepsis with multi-organ dysfunction syndrome and effects of a severe head injury he suffered as a result of a fall in 2014. On 27 September he suffered cardiac arrest. Singh died at the age of 82 years.{{cite web|last1=Sharma|first1=Akhilesh|date=27 September 2019|title=Ex-Union Minister Jaswant Singh Dies At 82. "Saddened By Demise," Says PM|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-union-minister-and-bjp-leader-jaswant-singh-dies-at-82-saddened-by-his-demise-tweets-pm-modi-2301608|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082335/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-union-minister-and-bjp-leader-jaswant-singh-dies-at-82-saddened-by-his-demise-tweets-pm-modi-2301608|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=NDTV}}{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=Former BJP leader Jaswant Singh passes away|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/former-bjp-leader-jaswant-singh-dead/articleshow/78343032.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082419/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/former-bjp-leader-jaswant-singh-dead/articleshow/78343032.cms|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=The Times of India}}{{Cite news|last=Raj|first=Naresh Kumar|others=PTI|date=27 September 2020|title=Former Union Minister Jaswant Singh passes away|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-union-minister-jaswant-singh-passes-away/article32707106.ece|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003183818/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-union-minister-jaswant-singh-passes-away/article32707106.ece|archive-date=3 October 2020|issn=0971-751X}} His death was triggered as a sign of honour and was mourned with full esteem and with state funeral.{{cite web|last=Singh|first=Harsha Kumari|date=28 September 2020|title=Jaswant Singh Cremated In Jodhpur, Family, Leaders Pay Last Respects|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jaswant-singh-funeral-jaswant-singh-cremated-in-jodhpur-family-leaders-pay-last-respects-2301787|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006211155/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jaswant-singh-funeral-jaswant-singh-cremated-in-jodhpur-family-leaders-pay-last-respects-2301787|archive-date=6 October 2020|access-date=3 November 2020|website=NDTV.com}} His last rites were done by his son Manvendra Singh and was cremated in Jodhpur, Rajasthan with full Hindu rituals.{{Cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Former cabinet minister, founding member of BJP, Jaswant Singh dies at 82|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/former-defence-minister-jaswant-singh-passes-away-at-82-pm-pays-condolence-120092700129_1.html|url-status=live|access-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103070702/https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/former-defence-minister-jaswant-singh-passes-away-at-82-pm-pays-condolence-120092700129_1.html|archive-date=3 November 2020}} Due to COVID-19 pandemic only family members were present and very few relatives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted on his death stated that "Jaswant Singh Ji served our nation diligently, first as a soldier and later during his long association with politics. During Atal Ji's Government, he handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark in the worlds of Finance, Defence and External affairs. Saddened by his demise"{{cite web|date=3 October 2020|title=Jaswant Singh: A worthy scholar, soldier, and politician|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/jaswant-singh-a-worthy-scholar-soldier-and-politician-147675|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031085604/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/jaswant-singh-a-worthy-scholar-soldier-and-politician-147675|archive-date=31 October 2020|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}

File:The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee is being presented with a PAN card by the Finance Minister Shri Jaswant Singh and Chairman CBDT Shri P.L. Singh, in New Delhi on January 24, 2004.jpg and P. L. Singh in New Delhi on 24 January 2004.]]

1. 1980{{Spaced en dash}}Elected to Rajya Sabha (1st term)
2. 1986{{Spaced en dash}}Re-elected to Rajya Sabha (2nd term)
3. 1986{{Spaced en dash}}1989{{Spaced en dash}}Member, Public Accounts Committee, Rajya Sabha
4. 1986{{Spaced en dash}}1989{{Spaced en dash}}Member, Committee on Privileges, Rajya Sabha
5. 1986{{Spaced en dash}}1989{{Spaced en dash}}Member, Committee on Public Undertakings, Rajya Sabha
6. 1989{{Spaced en dash}}Elected to 9th Lok Sabha from Jodhpur
7. 1990{{Spaced en dash}}1992{{Spaced en dash}}Member, Consultative Committee constituted under the Punjab State Legislature (Delegation of Power) Act, 1987
8. 1989{{Spaced en dash}}1991{{Spaced en dash}}Member, Panel of chairmen, Lok Sabha
9. 1991{{Spaced en dash}}1996{{Spaced en dash}}Chairman, Estimates Committee
10. 1991{{Spaced en dash}}Re-elected to 10th Lok Sabha (2nd term) from Chittorgarh
11. 1991{{Spaced en dash}}1992{{Spaced en dash}}Chairman, Committee on Environment and Forests
12. 1991{{Spaced en dash}}1994{{Spaced en dash}}Member, Business Advisory Committee
13. 1992{{Spaced en dash}}Member, Joint Parliamentary Committee to enquire into Irregularities in Securities and Banking Transactions
14. 1993{{Spaced en dash}}1996{{Spaced en dash}}Chairman, Standing Committee on Energy
15. 1996{{Spaced en dash}}Re-elected to 11th Lok Sabha (3rd term) from Chittorgarh
16. May 1996{{Spaced en dash}}June 1996{{Spaced en dash}}Union Cabinet Minister, Finance
17. March 1998{{Spaced en dash}}February 1998{{Spaced en dash}}Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission
18. July 1998{{Spaced en dash}}Re-elected to Rajya Sabha (3rd term)
19. December 1998{{Spaced en dash}}July 2000{{Spaced en dash}}Union Cabinet Minister, External Affairs
20. February 1999{{Spaced en dash}}October 1999{{Spaced en dash}}Union Cabinet Minister, Electronics (Simultaneous charge)
21. August 1999{{Spaced en dash}}October 1999{{Spaced en dash}}Union Cabinet Minister, Surface Transport (Simultaneous charge)
22. October 1999{{Spaced en dash}}Re-elected to Rajya Sabha (4th term)
23. March 2001{{Spaced en dash}}October 2001{{Spaced en dash}}Union Cabinet Minister, Defence (Simultaneous charges)
24. July 2002{{Spaced en dash}}April 2004{{Spaced en dash}}Union Minister, Finance & Company Affairs
25. April 2002{{Spaced en dash}}May 2004{{Spaced en dash}}Union Cabinet Minister, Finance
26. 2004{{Spaced en dash}}Re-elected to Rajya Sabha (5th term)
27. 2004{{Spaced en dash}}Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha
28. August 2004{{Spaced en dash}}August 2006{{Spaced en dash}}Member, Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests
29. August 2004{{Spaced en dash}}May 2009{{Spaced en dash}}Member, Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Installation of Portraits/Statues of National Leaders and Parliamentarians in Parliament House Complex{{cite web|title=Secretariat|url=https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/performance_profile/2007/content6.pdf|access-date=27 September 2020|website=rajyasabha.nic.in|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082425/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3A9mNHWtWsUugJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Frajyasabha.nic.in%2Frsnew%2Fperformance_profile%2F2007%2Fcontent6.pdf+&cd=15&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|url-status=live}}
30. August 2005{{Spaced en dash}}Member, General Purposes Committee
31. 2009{{Spaced en dash}}Re-elected to 15th Lok Sabha (4th term) from Darjeeling
32. August 2009{{Spaced en dash}}December 2009{{Spaced en dash}}Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts
33. September 2009{{Spaced en dash}}Member, Committee on Budget
34. January 2010{{Spaced en dash}}Member, Committee on Public Accounts

• {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1119753542|title=National Security.|publisher=Spantech & Lancer|year=1996|isbn=1-897829-18-3|oclc=1119753542}}
• {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1004385546|title=Defending India|year=1999|isbn=978-1-349-27191-7|location=London|oclc=1004385546}}
• {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/48517870|title=District diary|date=2001|publisher=Macmillan India Ltd|isbn=0-333-93643-4|location=New Delhi|oclc=48517870}}
• {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/76872107|title=Travels in Transoxiana : in lands over the Hindu-Kush & across the Amu Darya|date=2006|publisher=Rupa & Co|isbn=81-291-1002-4|location=New Delhi|oclc=76872107}}
• {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/965828245|title=In service of emergent India : a call to honour|others=Singh, Jaswant, 1938-|year=2007|isbn=978-0-253-02800-6|location=Bloomington|oclc=965828245}}
• {{Cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/132681691|title=Till memory serves : Victoria Cross winners of India|last2=Singh|first2=Manvendra|date=2007|publisher=Rupa & Co|isbn=978-81-291-1115-9|location=New Delhi|oclc=132681691|author-link2=Manvendra Singh}}
• {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/144754897|title=Khānakhānā nāmā|date=2006|publisher=Rūpā eṇḍa Kampanī|isbn=81-291-1055-5|location=Naī Dillī|oclc=144754897}}
• {{Cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/222670160|title=Conflict and diplomacy : US and the birth of Bangladesh, Pakistan divides|last2=Bhāṭiyā|first2=Sūraja|last3=Manekshaw|first3=Sam|date=2008|publisher=Rupa & Co|others=1914-2008.|isbn=978-81-291-1335-1|location=New Delhi, India|oclc=222670160|author-link3=Sam Manekshaw}}
• {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/611042665|title=Jinnah : India, partition, independence|date=2010|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-547927-0|location=Oxford|oclc=611042665}}
• {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/820430326|title=The audacity of opinion : reflections, journeys, musings|year=2012|isbn=978-93-81506-18-9|location=New Delhi, India|oclc=820430326}}
• {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/866857167|title=India at risk : mistakes, misconceptions and misadventures of security policy|year=2013|isbn=978-81-291-2907-9|location=New Delhi, India|oclc=866857167}}
• {{Cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1181908479|title=Antarctica|last2=Dutta|first2=H. N.|year=2011|isbn=978-1611228151|location=New Delhi, India|oclc=1181908479}}
• {{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Jaswant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/132681691|title=Till Memory Serves: Victoria Cross Winners|publisher=Rupa & Co|year=2007|isbn=9788129111159|location=New Delhi, India|oclc=132681691}}

{{Portal|India|Politics}}

• Ayesha Jalal, a Pakistani-American historian, who shares similar views on Jinnah with Jaswant Singh, as expressed in his book 'Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence'.
• Banga Bibhushan, a title instituted by the West Bengal government to honor individuals for their contributions in various fields.
• Leader of Rajya Sabha

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4B2wDQAAQBAJ&q=jaswant+singh+central+india+horse&pg=PA39 |title=In Service of Emergent India: A Call to Honour |author=Jaswant Singh |date=21 September 2007 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=9780253028006 |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=27 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927082335/https://books.google.com/books?id=4B2wDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA39&lpg=PA39&dq=jaswant+singh+central+india+horse&source=bl&ots=nNqgYWRuQd&sig=ACfU3U1WyMDbNLCBXJZc2HzIHnCNu6RZQQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiHoJ2XvtHgAhWJto8KHVgcDrQ4ChDoATAFegQIBBAB#v=onepage&q=jaswant%20singh%20central%20india%20horse&f=false |url-status=live |ref={{SfnRef|Singh}}}}
• {{Cite book |last=Rana |first=Mahendra Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yInZdHn-pKoC&dq=Manvendra+Singh&pg=PA382 |title=India Votes: Lok Sabha & Vidhan Sabha Elections 2001-2005 |publisher=Swarup & Sons |year=2006 |isbn=9788176256476 |pages=383–398 |ref={{SfnRef|Rana and Singh}}}}
• {{Cite book |last=Talbott |first=Strobe |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z708iXbcrNkC&q=Jaswant+Singh |title=Engaging India |publisher=Brookings Institution Press |year=2010k |isbn=9780815721253 |ref={{SfnRef|Talbott |2010}} |author-link=Strobe Talbott}}
• {{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Manvendra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lyM7JZcyOisC&q=Manvendra+Singh |title=Campaign Diary |publisher=Rupa Publications |year=2013d |isbn=9788184759839 |location=Barmer, Rajasthan |author-link=Manvendra Singh}}

{{Library resources box|about=Jaswant Singh bibliography|viaf=46942918|lccn=98075269|wikititle=Jaswant Singh|onlinebooks=https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n98075269}}

• {{DNA India|name=Jaswant Singh|id=jaswant-singh}}
• {{Commons category-inline}}
• {{Wikiquote-inline}}

{{refend|}}

{{s-start-collapsible|title=Jaswant Singh's positions and offices}}

{{s-par|in-upr}}

{{s-bef|before=N/A}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament
for Rajya Sabha Rajasthan |years=1980–1992}}

{{s-aft|after=N/A}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-bef|before=N/A}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament
for Rajya Sabha Rajasthan |years=1998-2010}}

{{s-aft|after=N/A}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-par|in-lwr}}

{{s-bef|before=Ashok Gehlot}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament
for Jodhpur|years=1989-1991}}

{{s-aft|after=Ashok Gehlot}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-bef|before=Mahendra Singh Mewar}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament
for Chittorgarh|years=1991-1998}}

{{s-aft|after=Udai Lal Anjana}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-bef|before=Dawa Narbula}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament
for Darjeeling|years=2009-2014}}

{{s-aft|after=S. S. Ahluwalia}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Manmohan Singh}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minister of Finance|years=1996}}

{{s-aft|after=P. Chidambaram}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Madhu Dandavate}}

{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission|years=1998-1999}}

{{s-aft|after=K. C. Pant}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Sikander Bakht}}

{{s-ttl|title=Leader of Rajya Sabha|years=1998-2004}}

{{s-aft|after=Manmohan Singh}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Atal Bihari Vajpayee}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minister of External Affairs|years=1998-2002}}

{{s-aft|after=Yashwant Sinha}}

|-

{{s-bef|before|before=George Fernandes}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minister of Defence|years=2002}}

{{s-aft|after=George Fernandes}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Yashwant Sinha}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minister of Finance|years=2002-2004}}

{{s-aft|after=P. Chidambaram}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Manmohan Singh}}

{{s-ttl|title=Opposition leader of Rajya Sabha|years=2004-2009}}

{{s-aft|after=Arun Jaitley}}

{{s-end}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Jaswant}}

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