Manmohan Singh seen as a problem solver in world economic circle

Washington, Nov 13 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who left for Washington today to take part in G-20 Summit, is being seen as problem solver at economic meets.

The G-20 Summit, which begins in Washington on Saturday, could provide India with an opportunity to shape the new global economic architecture in line with its strategic and economic interests.

Dr. Singh will be looking to push for a new world financial order and the reinvention of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the meet. India is technically not a part of the G-20, a grouping of rich nations, and yet is being asked to speak out there because it doesn't make sense to exclude it or China from any meet on financial issues.

Nothing much is expected from the Summit deliberations over the next couple of days, but whether the world changes after this meeting or not, India will hope to achieve some success. India is looking to establish itself as a responsible member in the international financial system and, the initial step in achieving this goal will be through the Prime Minister's statement at the meeting. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government is also looking at this meeting as a huge diplomatic opportunity for India. The fact is that only the United Kingdom's Gordon Brown rivals Manmohan Singh's economic acumen. So, a lot of hope and expectations are lying on what Dr. Singh says.

When Manmohan Singh will speak at this summit, he will not be looked upon as the Prime Minister of India speaking, he will also be speaking on behalf of the Indian Subcontinent- India, Pakistan Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, because these are the countries that really do not have a voice in this grouping of nations- rich nations. But the fact is that whenever such an economic meltdown takes place, it is developing nations like India and Pakistan that get affected the most. By Smita Prakash

ANI