Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has he tried to do his best in serving the country and his tenure was an "open book".
Manmohan resigned from office on Saturday after two successive terms, a day after his Congress party lost the national election.
He handed over his resignation letter to President Pranab Mukherjee, NDTV reports.
“My life and tenure in public office are an open book. I have always tried to do my best in serving this great nation of ours,” he said in his address to the nation before meeting President Pranab Mukherjee to submit his papers.
He said: “Each one of us should respect the judgement you have delivered. The just concluded elections have deepened the foundations of our democratic polity.”
He also wished the incoming government every success.
Singh, the 13th prime minister of India, has helmed the United Progressive Alliance government through its two successive terms from 2004.
On Friday, Singh congratulated Modi for leading his party to victory in the Lok Sabha election.
