Sunday, April 24 2005 15:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bandung (Indonesia): In an honour to India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Apr 24, 2005) represented Asia at a special ceremony to sign the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) in Bandung.

Singh was chosen to speak on behalf of Asia at the ceremony attended by leaders of 106 countries to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic Bandung Conference which led to the creation of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

The Prime Minister also led the Asian leaders in the symbolic walk to the Conference hall where the 1955 meet was held.

The organisers had decided that only one leader will speak on behalf of a continent each. While India was asked to represent Asia, Namibia represented Africa at the ceremony.