'Cheerful' PM's first official engagement after surgery

New Delhi, Mar 4 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Wednesday had his first official engagement since his
bypass surgery five weeks ago and appeared fine as he held
about 90-minute talks with Boni Yayi, President of African
country Benin.

Dressed in grey 'bandgala' suit, 76-year-old Singh
walked up to the meeting room at his residence here for talks
with Yayi and shook hands with the visiting leader.

In his first public appearance after surgery, Singh
waved at the camerapersons.

He was cheerful and held about 90-minute long
delegation-level discussions with the Benin President, sources
said. Immediately after that, he oversaw the signing of three
agreements between the two sides.

The Prime Minister has been attending to urgent
official work from home but the talks with President of Benin
marked his first official engagement since surgery.

He has been recuperating after undergoing a 'redo'
coronary artery bypass surgery to remove five blockages at the
All India Institute of Medical Sciences on January 24. PTI AKK
AM
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