Vientiane: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Nov 29, 2004) met Lao President Khamtay Siphandone in Vientiane and discussed bilateral, regional and international issues with him.

The Prime Minister's meeting with the host country's President this morning came a day after his parleys with Lao Prime Minister Bounnhang Vorachith during which the latter supported India's claim to a permanent seat in the expanded UN Security Council.

In his opening remarks at the ASEAN summit, Vorachith said the regional body's relations with India have expanded.

"The signing of the ASEAN-India partnership for peace, progress and shared prosperity at this summit will ensure a 'brilliant future' and 'durable' cooperation," he said.

Vorachith had yesterday (Nov 28, 2004) sought India's support in modernising agriculture in Laos to which Singh responded positively.

Manmohan Singh is scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi later in the day.