Jaswant Singh: Difference between revisions

{{Use Indian English|date=September 2022}}{{Infobox officeholder

| party              = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (until 2014)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/former-bjp-leader-jaswant-singh-dead/articleshow/78343032.cms | title=Former BJP leader Jaswant Singh passes away | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=27 September 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022065458/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/former-bjp-leader-jaswant-singh-dead/articleshow/78343032.cms | archive-date=22 October 2020 | url-status=live | access-date=27 September 2022}}</ref>

| spouse              = {{Marriage|Sheetal Kanwar|1963|2022}}

[[Major]] '''Jaswant Singh''' ({{Pronunciation|En-us-Jaswant Singh from India pronunciation (Voice of America).ogg|pronunciation|help=no}}; 3 January 1938{{spnd}}27 September 2020)<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-Union Minister Jaswant Singh Dies At 82. "Saddened By Demise," Says PM|agency=[[NDTV]]|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|access-date=27 September 2020|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 2022}}</ref>{{Efn|In {{IPA-gu|જસવંતસિંઘ}} and in {{IPA-hi|jasavant sinh}}.|name=|group=upper-alpha}} was an officer of the Indian Army and an [[Cabinet Minister (India)|Indian Cabinet Minister]]. He was one of the founding members of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|title=Jaswant's expulsion is the BJP's gift to the RSS|work=[[Rediff]]|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/special/jaswants-expulsion-is-the-bjps-gift-to-the-rss/20090820.htm|url-status=live|access-date=5 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225080511/https://www.rediff.com/news/special/jaswants-expulsion-is-the-bjps-gift-to-the-rss/20090820.htm|archive-date=25 December 2022}}</ref> and was one of India's longest serving parliamentarians, having been a member of the [[Lok Sabha]] or the [[Rajya Sabha]] almost continuously between 1980 and 2014.<ref>{{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/20200927082336/https://thewire.in/politics/jaswant-singh-passes-away-timeline-chronology-minister|archive-date=27 September 2020|access-date=27 September 2020|website=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]}}</ref> He was NDA's [[Vice president|Vice-presidential]] candidate in the [[2012 Indian vice presidential election]]. Singh was the only leader from [[Rajasthan]] who had the distinction of becoming the Minister Of [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|External Affairs]], [[Minister of Finance (India)|Finance]] and [[Minister of Defence (India)|Defense]].<ref>{{cite web|date=27 September 2020|title=Ex-Union Minister Jaswant Singh No More|url=https://www.pratidintime.com/ex-union-minister-jaswant-singh-no-more/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029222632/https://www.pratidintime.com/ex-union-minister-jaswant-singh-no-more/|archive-date=29 October 2020|access-date=14 October 2020|website=Pratidin Time|language=en-US}}</ref>

Singh incurred the displeasure of his party colleagues when, after the party suffered its second successive defeat in 2009, he circulated a note demanding a thorough discussion on the debacle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/S8lfqLdT14Myzs41RNAnnL/BJP-expels-Jaswant-Singh-over-Jinnah-book.html|title=BJP expels Jaswant Singh over Jinnah book - Livemint|website=www.livemint.com|date=19 August 2009|access-date=5 January 2018|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225080513/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/S8lfqLdT14Myzs41RNAnnL/BJP-expels-Jaswant-Singh-over-Jinnah-book.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Weeks later, a book authored by him was released, in which he was found to have written sympathetically about [[Jinnah]]. Post the event, Singh found himself marginalized within the party. In the elections of 2014, his party decided not to field him from any constituency. He decided to contest anyway as an independent from his native constituency of [[Barmer (Lok Sabha constituency)|Barmer]] (against [[Sona Ram|Col. Sonaram Chaudhary]]) in [[Rajasthan]].<ref>{{cite web|date=29 March 2014|title=Jaswant Singh rules out withdrawal from Barmer Lok Sabha seat|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/jaswant-singh-rules-out-withdrawal-from-barmer-lok-sabha-seat/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330064355/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/jaswant-singh-rules-out-withdrawal-from-barmer-lok-sabha-seat/|archive-date=30 March 2014|access-date=5 January 2021|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en}}</ref> He was expelled from the BJP on 29 March 2014 when he did not withdraw his independent candidature, and went on to lose the election.<ref>{{cite web|date=29 March 2014|title=BJP expels defiant Jaswant Singh for 6 years|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/bjp-expels-defiant-jaswant-singh-for-6-years/story-MTeBfC5AVL1vInegXvopAI.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329230518/http://www.hindustantimes.com/elections2014/the-big-story/bjp-expels-senior-leader-jaswant-singh-for-six-years/article1-1201960.aspx|archive-date=29 March 2014|access-date=5 January 2021|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=16 May 2014|title=Jaswant Singh loses in Barmer|work=[[Business Standard|Business Standard India]]|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/jaswant-singh-loses-in-barmer-114051601378_1.html|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923221920/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/jaswant-singh-loses-in-barmer-114051601378_1.html|archive-date=23 September 2022}}</ref>

Singh was born on 3 January 1938 in the village of [[Jasol]] in [[Barmer district]] of Rajasthan in a [[Rajput]] family.<ref>{{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 2022}}</ref> His father was Sardar Singh Rathore of Jasol and mother was Kunwar Baisa. Singh was married to Sheetal Kanwar.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Biographical Sketch of Member of XI Lok Sabha|url=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:T-SKcSfG0r0J:loksabhaph.nic.in/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/552.htm&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1&vwsrc=0|url-status=live|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]]}}</ref> They had two sons. His elder son, [[Manvendra Singh]], is a former Member of Parliament from [[Barmer (Lok Sabha constituency)|Barmer]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was an officer in the [[Indian Army]] in the 1960s and was an alumnus of [[Mayo College]] and the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]], Khadakwasla.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Singh has been frequently criticized by political parties for escorting terrorists to [[Kandhahar]], [[Afghanistan]]. They were released by the Government of India in exchange for passengers from the hijacked [[IC 814|Indian Airlines flight IC 814]].<ref>{{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 2022}}</ref>

Singh was denied a [[Member of Parliament]] ticket for [[Barmer (Lok Sabha constituency)|Barmer]] by [[BJP]] for the [[2014 Indian general election]] over [[Sona Ram|Col. Sonaram Choudhary]]. Unhappy, Singh filed his nomination as an [[Independent (politician)|independent]] candidate from Barmer constituency.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Subsequently, he was expelled from BJP for six years<ref>{{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 2022}}</ref> and lost the election.<ref name="indiatimes1">{{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 2022}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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 (India)|The Wire]]}}</ref> He served as [[Finance Minister of India|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.<ref name=":3" /> Responsible for [[foreign policy]], he dealt with high tensions between India and [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{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 (newspaper)|DAWN.COM]]|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was conferred the [[Outstanding Parliamentarian Award]] for the year 2001.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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|Jinnah – India, Partition, Independence]]''.<ref>{{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 2022}}</ref> His last major position was as [[Leader of the Opposition (India)|Leader of Opposition]] in the [[Rajya Sabha]] from 2004 to 2009.<ref name=":3" />

Jaswant Singh held many ministries under the government of [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], including several important such as [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Defence]], [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|External Affairs]] and [[Ministry of Finance (India)|Finance]].{{Efn|Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Singh handled key ministries such as Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Finance.<ref>{{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 (India)|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 2022}} [https://thewire.in/tag/jaswant-singh Alt URL]</ref>|name=|group=upper-alpha}} He has also held many important positions including that of Electronics and Science and Technology.<ref name=":2">{{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}}</ref>

[[File:Vladimir Putin in India 2-5 October 2000-1.jpg|thumb|241x241px|Singh meeting [[Vladimir Putin]] in 2000.]] [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]], came to power in [[1998 Indian general election|1998 general elections]] with an exclusive [[Exclusive mandate|public mandate]]. BJP's political might had been growing steadily in strength over the past decade over several issues.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|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’.<ref>{{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 2022}}</ref>|name=|group=upper-alpha}} He was the one of the member of "Operation Shakti" and among the 12 people who knew about the secret mission.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> At that time strong criticism was drawn from Canada on India's actions and its [[List of Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Canada|High Commissioner]]. [[Economic sanctions|Sanctions]] were also imposed by Japan on India and consisted of freezing all new loans and grants except for humanitarian aid to India.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=3 April 2012|title=Japan lifts India, Pakistan sanctions - 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 2022}}</ref> Some other nations also imposed sanctions on India, primarily in the form of suspension of [[:Category:Foreign aid to India|foreign aid]] to India and government-to-government credit lines. However, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia refrained from condemning India.<ref>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}}.</ref> 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]].<ref>Dittmer, L., ed. (2005). ''South Asia's nuclear security dilemma: India, Pakistan, and China''. Armonk, NY: Sharpe. {{ISBN|978-0-7656-1419-3}}.</ref>

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]].<ref>{{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]]}}</ref><ref>{{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 2022}}</ref> This hijack was also helped by [[Dawood Ibrahim]] and [[Al-Qaeda]] linked [[Jihadism|Jihadis]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> Then after too much suggestions and pressure then [[Prime Minister of India|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 the one of the most trusted man. He was sent to [[Kandahar]] of [[Afghanistan]] to escort the terrorists and take back the crew members.<ref>{{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 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Singh was appointed as the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence of India]] in the year 2000 after minister before him, [[George Fernandes]] was convicted in the [[Tehelka as Metaphor|Tehelka case]] and was forced to resign from his position.<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Former cabinet minister, founding member of BJP, Jaswant Singh dies at 82|work=[[Business Standard|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 2022}}</ref> He remained as the Minister from 2000 to 2001 after which [[George Fernandes|Fernandes]] was re-appointed as the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]] after getting cleanchit in the conspiracy.<ref>{{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}}</ref> After that in the year 2002 he was re-appointed as the [[Minister of Finance (India)|Minister of Finance of India]] in the [[Vajpayee Government]].<ref>The [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Vajpayee's]] ji re-appointment as [[Prime Minister of India|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}})</ref>

* 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 [[Mohammad Ali Jinnah]] and claimed that the centralised policy of [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] was responsible for Partition.<ref>{{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 2022}}</ref> He was later expelled from the primary membership of BJP as a result of the ensuing controversy.<ref>{{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 2022}}</ref> In interviews with media he quoted BJP as narrow-minded and to have limited thought. In 2010, he was readmitted to BJP.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

In June 2020, Singh was admitted to the Delhi's Army ( 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.<ref name="NDTV">{{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]]}}</ref><ref name="TimesofIndia920">{{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]]}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> His death was triggered as a sign of honour and was mourned with full esteem and with state funeral.<ref>{{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|NDTV.com]]}}</ref> His last rites were done by his son [[Manvendra Singh]] and was cremated in [[Jodhpur]], [[Rajasthan]] with full [[Hindu rites|Hindu rituals]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 September 2020|title=Former cabinet minister, founding member of BJP, Jaswant Singh dies at 82|work=[[Business Standard|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 2022}}</ref> Due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]] only family members were present and very few relatives. [[Prime Minister of India|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 Bihari Vajpayee|Atal Ji's]] Government, he handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark in the worlds of [[Minister of Finance (India)|Finance]], [[Minister of Defence (India)|Defence]] and [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|External affairs]]. Saddened by his demise"<ref name="Service">{{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}}</ref>

* {{Cite book |last=Talbott |first=Strobe |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Engaging_India/Z708iXbcrNkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Jaswant+Singh&printsec=frontcover |title=Engaging India |publisher=[[Brookings Institution|Brookings Institution Press]] |year=2010k |isbn=9780815721253 |ref={{SfnRef|Talbott |2022}} |author-link=Strobe Talbott}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Rajya Sabha]] [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Rajasthan|Rajasthan]] |years=1998-2022}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Darjeeling (Lok Sabha constituency)|Darjeeling]]|years=2009-2022}}

{{s-ttl|title=[[Leader of the House (Rajya Sabha)|Leader of Rajya Sabha]]|years=1998-2022}}

{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of External Affairs (India)|Minister of External Affairs]]|years=1998-2022}}

{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]|years=2022}}

{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Finance (India)|Minister of Finance]]|years=2002-2022}}

{{s-ttl|title=[[Leader of the Opposition (India)#Leaders of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha|Opposition leader of Rajya Sabha]]|years=2004-2022}}