Manmohan Singh meets President Patil ahead of ASEAN-India summit India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met President Pratibha Patil on Saturday and discussed various national and international issues. According to a Rashtrapati Bhavan press release, matters related to internal security also came up during the discussion. The meeting became significant in the wake of the Centre's green signal for the anti-Naxal offensive following the increase of violence by the Maoists in some states. A Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said the meeting lasted for about 30 minutes. "The Prime Minister called on the President and greeted her on occasion of Diwali," spokesperson said. "They also discussed various issues of national and international importance, particularly internal security issues, agricultural production and food security," spokesperson added. Singh also briefed President Patil on his forthcoming visit to Thailand. Manmohan Singh is attending the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) - India summit from October 24 in Thailand. Singh is also expected to meet some world leaders, including Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during his two-day visit.