PM leaves for Bhutan, may meet Pak counterpart

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today left for Bhutan to attend the SAARC Summit during which he may meet his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Singh, during his two-day stay, is also expected to hold interactions with leaders from other member countries.

"The winds of change are blowing across the world. South Asia cannot be immune to the trend of greater integration, both at the regional and global levels," the Prime Minister had said last night.

He said the Summit would provide the countries of this region an opportunity to collectively reflect on "where we are, what more we can do together to meet the developmental aspirations of our people, and how South Asia can play its rightful role in the international arena.
   
Singh said he was looking forward to holding bilateral discussions with his Bhutanese counterpart Jigmi Y. Thinley.
      
"I also look forward to my meetings with leaders of other SAARC countries," the Prime Minister said, without elaborating.