Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday steered clear of the controversy over awarding Nobel peace prize to US President Barack Obama. It was up to the award committee to decide on it, Singh told reporters when asked whether he thought the US President was the apt choice for the prestigious award.

The Prime Minister said he could not comment on the issue.

Extending his hearty congratulations to Obama, he praised the US President for his role in "ushering in an era of peace" in the world.

"I extend my hearty congratulations to Obama" for winning the Nobel peace prize, he said.