NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said India's concerns on terrorism after the Mumbai blasts and energy security were shared by G8 members and other "outreach" countries.

Talking to presspersons at the airport on arrival from St. Petersburg, he said two things were uppermost in his mind when he left for Russia — to sensitise the international community on India's plight relating to terrorism and growing instability in oil prices.

Dr. Singh said he was glad that India's concerns on both issues found resonance in his meetings in St. Petersburg.

He pointed out that there had been a strong condemnation by the G8 of the Mumbai blasts.

In a statement, he said the G8 had expressed its readiness to take all necessary measures to bring to justice the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai and Srinagar.

"We are greatly encouraged by this unified expression and support ... by all major countries of the world."

Trilateral meeting

Referring to his trilateral meeting with Russian and Chinese Presidents Vladimir Putin and Hu Jintao, the Prime Minister said the "simultaneous emergence" of India, China and Russia as "important economies" in the Asian region was one of the "most remarkable developments" of the 21st century.

"In their past meetings, the three countries had identified energy, civil aviation, biotechnology, information technology, pharmaceuticals and financial services for closer economic cooperation. I underscored the importance of moving ahead rapidly on developing concrete projects of cooperation."

On his meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush, Dr. Singh said they reviewed developments since Mr. Bush's March visit to India.

"With regard to civil[ian] nuclear cooperation, President Bush expressed optimism on successfully carrying the process forward to an early conclusion and also expressed an understanding of some of the concerns on the proposed legislations that I conveyed," the statement said.

On trade issues, the Prime Minister pointed out that the G8 had called for "concrete endeavour" to conclude the Doha trade round negotiations.

"We are willing to join them in such an effort, but progress will only be possible if negotiations take fully into account the development concerns of the developing countries."

Dr. Singh said he also took up with his interlocutors the candidature of Shashi Tharoor for the post of United Nations Secretary-General.

"He has very strong credentials for the post and I urged my interlocutors to give him their full support in the coming election process."

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