PM leaves for Port of Spain after four-day US visit

Ajay Kaul
Washington, Nov 26 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Thursday wound up his four-day State visit here, first
by a foreign leader under the 10-month-old Obama
Administration, during which the two countries decided to
transform their ties into "one of the defining" relationships
of the 21st century.

Singh was given a warm send-off in the form of a 19-gun
salute and guard of honour amid a drizzle at the Andrews Air
Force base as he left for Port of Spain in Trinidad and
Tobago, where he will attend the two-day Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting (CHOGM) beginning Friday.
India and the US signed MoUs in counter-terrorism and five
other pacts during the visit that marked recognition of the
special status accorded to India by President Barack Obama,
who shares a special rapport with Singh.
Singh held talks with Obama on the entire gamut of
bilateral relations, situation in the region and global
challenges like terrorism, climate change and economic crisis.
"I am satisfied with the visit," Singh said hours before
wrapping up the trip and travelling to Port of Spain.
One of the key highlights of the visit was the State
banquet hosted by Obama at the White House for Singh and his
wife Gursharan Kaur, a gala event to which enormous colour was
added by a cultural programme and special Indian cuisine.
The visit received immense attention in the American
media, which commented on the rising influence and leadership
of India. (More) PTI AKK
DDC


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