
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2nd R) walks past the
National Stadium of China, nicknamed the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of
China, Jan. 13, 2008. Singh visited an exhibition center showcasing scale models
of China's Olympic venues after he arrived in Beijing on Sunday morning for his
three-day trip to China, the first since he took office in 2004.
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here
Sunday that Beijing's preparations for the Olympics is a source of inspiration
for India, which will host the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Singh made the remarks while visiting an exhibition center near the
National Stadium, nicknamed the Bird's Nest, in the north of the Chinese
capital. The center showcases scale models of the Bird's Nest, "Water Cube", or
the National Aquatic Center, and other Olympic venues.
Singh, wearing a blue turban and clad in a grey overcoat, was accompanied
by vice mayor of Beijing Chen Gang, who has escorted many foreign heads of
state, including French President Nicolas Sarkozy, to the Olympic stadiums.
The prime minister nodded in agreement when Chen said the use of the venues
after the Olympics should be considered, especially in heavily populated
countries such as China and India.
Singh said the infrastructure and other work Beijing has done for the
Olympics merit attention from the Indian people in preparing for big events like
the Commonwealth Games.
After the visit, Singh wrote in the guestbook: "On behalf of the government
and people of India, I extend my best wishes for the success of the Olympic
Games in Beijing. I hope that the Olympic spirit and warmth of the great city of
Beijing will promote friendship, peace and understanding among all participants
and countries they represent."
Singh arrived in Beijing on Sunday morning for his three-day trip to China,
the first since he took office in 2004.
President Hu Jintao and top legislator Wu Bangguo will meet with Singh.
Premier Wen Jiabao will hold talks with Singh.