Manmohan to engage ASEAN actively

Hua Hin, Thailand: Besides taking part in the 7th summit between India and the 10-member Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Saturday and at the 4th East Asia Summit on Sunday, involving the ASEAN and six other countries, Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh will hold a string of bilateral meetings with leaders from the region.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh being received, on his arrival at Hua Hin International Airport to attend the India- ASEAN and EAS summits, in Thailand

Singh has a hectic Saturday ahead of him, starting with a much awaited meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao. Officials hope that a positive meeting will help ease tensions between the two countries, which have been engaged in a furious war of words over the past month.

Assisting the prime minister in his talks with Wen would be commerce and industry minister

Anand Sharma, principal secretary TKA Nair and secretary (East) N Ravi.

Immediately after the bilateral with Wen Jiabao at Hotel Dusit Thani, where the ASEAN and East Asia summits are being held, Singh conducts his next bilateral at 11.35 am IST with Japanese premier Yukio Hatoyama.

He will also hold discussions with the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand the same day apart from attending the seventh summit between India and the 10-member ASEAN.

Manmohan Singh has a packed programme on Sunday as well. The 4th East Asia Summit will involve the ASEAN and six other countries, including India.

Sunday's bilateral engagements would cover the prime ministers of Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia.