Japan's top government spokesperson expressed condolences on Friday over the death of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Singh died Thursday at a hospital in New Delhi at the age of 92.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said Singh helped build the basis of the present flourishing ties between Japan and India by raising them to what can be described as a strategic global partnership.

Hayashi referred to Singh's contributions in wide areas, including politics, security, economy and people-to-people exchanges. He expressed gratitude for his contributions, paid respect to his achievements and offered sincere condolences.

Singh, who was originally an economist, held the post of finance minister in the 1990s and led India's economic liberalization.

He became prime minister in 2004, when the Indian National Congress party he belonged to won the country's general election.

India's economy grew significantly over the next 10 years, when Singh served two terms in office.

His second term was clouded by allegations of corruption against his ministers.

In the 2014 general election, his party was defeated by the Bharatiya Janata Party led by the current prime minister, Narendra Modi.

Modi wrote on X that Singh "made extensive efforts to improve people's lives" while prime minister.