Prime Minister returns from six-day foreign tour

New Delhi, Oct 14: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned here tonight after a six-day visit to the United Kingdom and Finland where he held extensive discussions with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and European Union leaders on steps to combat terrorism and improving bilateral relations.

Describing his visit as "very successful", he said the world leaders were now appreciating India's stand on the need to have zero tolerance to terrorism.

Dr Singh, who attended the seventh India-EU Summit in Helsinki, was hopeful that a free trade agreement with the EU would become a reality very soon.

Mr Blair agreed with Dr Singh on the need to work together to counter terrorism as India and the United Kingdom have suffered the menace in a big way.

Dr Singh, who was conferred with a Honorary Degree of Law at the Cambridge University during the visit, said it was a happy moment in his life.

In London, he also attended the Indo-UK Business Summit.

He also held bilateral discussion with Finland Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, besides addressing India-EU Business Summit.

UNI