PM arrives from Colombo after attending SAARC Summit

New Delhi, Aug 3 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here this evening after attending the 15th SAARC Summit.

The Prime Minister was seen off at the Colombo airport by several senior officials of the Sri Lankan government.

The SAARC Summit concluded today with a call for ending terrorism. The Heads of State or Government reaffirmed their commitment in the priniciples and objectives enshrined in the SAARC Charter. They renewed their resolve for collective regional efforts to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development, which would promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and improve their quality of life, thereby contributing to peace, stability, amity and progress in the region.

Before leaving for New Delhi, Dr Singh had bilateral meetings with his Nepalese counterpart G P Koirala and Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on India's relations with the two countries.

Mr Koirala briefed Dr Singh on the internal situation in Nepal where a democratically-elected government has been installed.

Dr Singh said India wanted a stable, democratic and peaceful Nepal and expressed appreciation for transiting to democracy and conducting elections, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said.

''We are impressed by the transition so far including the conduct of the elections. We will continue to work to support Nepal in its democratic transition,'' the Prime Minister told Mr Koirala.

During the meeting with the Maldivian President, who is the eldest statesman of the SAARC, bilateral relations were reviewed and both the leaders expressed satisfaction over the relations between the two countries.

The SAARC process was also discussed.

UNI RB AKJ CS2141