India bids farewell to former PM Manmohan Singh

India is set to host a state funeral for former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who died age of 92 on Thursday.

He was the first Sikh to lead the nation from 2004 to 2014, serving a rare two terms. Seven days of state mourning were declared on his death.

The ex-PM will be cremated with full state honours later today (Saturday).

Mourners in India’s capital gathered to pay their respects to former prime minister ahead of the funeral for the man key to the country’s economic liberalisation.

His coffin, draped in garlands of flowers, was flanked by a guard of honour and carried to his Congress Party headquarters in New Delhi.

It will later be taken through the capital to be cremated, accompanied by guards of soldiers and accorded full state honours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who along with other leaders is expected to attend the funeral.

Opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he had lost “a mentor and guide”.