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PM concludes Bali visit, leaves for Singapore

Last updated on: November 19, 2011 16:40 IST

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh concluded his three-day visit to Bali on Saturday, where he attended the India-ASEAN meet and East Asia Summit, besides holding talks with US President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao.

At the East Asia Summit on Saturday, Singh cited the Eurozone crisis and pitched for greater economic integration between Indian and East Asia to contribute to the world economy.

Addressing the India-ASEAN Summit, he highlighted the need for greater connectivity and cooperation on security issues, including maritime security, counter-terrorism, training, exercises and disaster management.

During his more than hour-long meeting with US president on Friday, Singh told Obama that India had gone "some way" to allay the concerns of United States firms by notifying rules for nuclear business and any specific grievance would be addressed within the "four corners" of Indian laws.

His remarks came against the backdrop of apprehensions among US firms that Indian liability laws were not supplier friendly. The PM, who left here for Singapore for a two-day visit, also held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wen on Ffriday against the backdrop of the South China Sea issue row and told him that India's oil exploration in the disputed maritime area is "purely commercial activity".

Singh also had a 'pull-aside' meeting with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard who made it clear that she would take forward her proposal to lift ban on uranium sale to India.
Ajay Kaul in Bali