Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh [Images], who could not attend the ongoing Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in New Delhi as he is convalescing after surgery, reaffirmed India's commitment to the Commonwealth's ideals in a message to the delegates.

"I deeply regret missing the opportunity to participate in this important conference, which has brought together people from a large number of countries," he said in his message.

The prime minister said that India is honoured to have Parliamentarians from the various Commonwealth countries as its guests. "India has been an active member of the Commonwealth and has contributed on every front," said the prime minister.

Dr Singh reaffirmed India's deep and abiding commitment, "to the ideas and ideals that the Commonwealth has come to be associated with."

"Of all the principles that have defined and motivated the Commonwealth, none is more important than our shared commitment to democracy," he added.