Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (L) is greeted by Chinese President Hu Jintao in Sanya in Hainan Province yesterday on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.Photo: AFP

Chinese President Hu Jintao met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday while Russian President Dmitry Medvedev discussed the Libya conflict with his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma.
Hu and Singh discussed "issues of common concern" on the eve of the BRICS summit of major emerging powers on south China's Hainan island, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Medvedev told Zuma their countries should work together to resolve armed conflicts including the one unfolding in Libya.
"I think the resolution of this and other conflicts depends on the level of coordination of our efforts," said the Russian leader.
Hu later held meetings with Zuma and Medvedev.
On Thursday, South Africa will for the first time join the BRICS summit, designed to showcase the growing economic and political clout of the world's major emerging powers, Brazil, Russia, India and China.
The meeting is expected focus on international questions, Libya and reform of the global financial system.
South Africa is the only country at the summit which supported a UN Security Council resolution establishing a no-fly zone over Libya and authorising "all necessary measures" to protect civilians, opening the door to coalition air strikes.
The four other countries have expressed their concern over the risk of civilian casualties.
Discussions between the five leaders are expected to conclude late morning with the release of a joint statement while the afternoon is reserved for bilateral meetings.