Date:02/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/02/stories/2008070254651200.htm

National

Manmohan calls on Pratibha

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Setting at rest speculation on his trip to Tokyo to attend the G-8 Summit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday called on President Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan and discussed about his tour.

The meeting came amidst the standoff between the government and its Left allies on the issue of civilian nuclear deal with the United States.

During the 50-minute meeting, they also discussed national and international developments, a Rashtrapati Bhavan release said.

The Left parties have said that Prime Minister, during his meetings with President George W. Bush and other world leaders on the sidelines of the G-8 Summit, should not make any commitment of going ahead with the nuclear deal.

Before Dr. Singh leaves for Tokyo, four Left parties are meeting on July 4 to discuss their future strategy in case the government goes ahead with deal.