Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoles Poland President's death

Washington DC, April 11 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Sunday condoled the death of Poland President Lech Kaczynski, who was killed in a plane crash in Russia on Saturday.

Dr. Singh, presently on a weeklong visit to the United States and Brazil, expressed his shock and sadness over the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, Madam Kaczynska, other senior Polish officials, and the passengers in the plane crash.

In his condolence letter to his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, the Indian Prime Minister stated Poland lost an outstanding statesman and it was a special loss for India.

"I have received with great shock and sadness the news about the death of President Lech Kaczynski, in a plane crash today. In President Kaczynski's death, Poland has lost an outstanding statesman. It is a special loss to India as President Kaczynski was personally committed to strengthening bilateral ties between our two countries. India mourns with you at this tragic hour.

On behalf of the Government and the people of India and, on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to Your Excellency and to the friendly people of Poland at this most unfortunate and grievous loss," Dr. Singh stated in his letter.

Polish President Lech Kaczynski along with a high-level delegation were killed when a plane carrying 97 people crashed in thick fog as it was approaching a Russian airport on Saturday morning.

The Polish delegation was flying in from Warsaw to mark the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre of thousands of Poles by Soviet forces during WWII.

Meanwhile, ahead of Monday's Nuclear Security Summit, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, will meet US President Barack Obama, at Blair House in Washington tonight.

During their meeting, Dr. Singh is expected to review bilateral ties and share views key on regional and global issues.

Officials said they would include the situations in Afghanistan, the progress made in the Pakistan, 26/11 investigation, nuclear terrorism and civil nuclear energy issues. Dr. Singh and Obama would also discuss the AFPAK policy, they added.

The Nuclear Security Summit will be attended by leaders of 47 nations, Dr. Singh is expected to pitch for firm response to the challenges of proliferation and the possibility of terrorists gaining access to atomic material.

The aims of the summit are to come to a common understanding of the threat posed by nuclear terrorism, to agree to effective measures to secure nuclear material and to prevent nuclear smuggling and terrorism.

Ahead of his visit, Dr. Singh expressed hope that the summit would focus on nuclear terrorism and the security of sensitive nuclear materials and technologies as these are legitimate concerns which require firm responses.

During his stay Dr. Singh will attend the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) and Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) Summits in Brasilia. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)