Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2017 was awarded to Dr Manmohan Singh on Saturday by an international jury headed by former President Pranab Mukherjee.

The jury chose Dr Singh for his leadership of the country, his contributions to reforms and the economy, for enhancing India’s stature globally and for improving India’s relations with neighbouring countries including China and Pakistan.

The jury specially noted his efforts to ensure “the security and well being of ordinary citizens, regardless of their faith, caste, region or languages they speak.”

Dr Singh is only the third Prime Minister of India to complete two full terms as PM between 2004 and 2014. His tenure witnessed the path braking nuclear agreement with the United States and the Copenhagen Climate Change agreement.

While Dr Singh, who as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and as the Finance Minister in the Government headed by PV Narasimha Rao played a pivotal role in ushering in economic reforms, as Prime Minister he led the country achieve the highest sustained rate of economic growth since Independence.

Dr Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister also saw the lowest terrorist violence, prolonged period of communal harmony and peace on the border.

The International award named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was instituted in 1986. The last two recipients have been the Indian Space Research Organisation and the UN High Commission for Refugees.