Pranab holds parleys with other members of BRIC

United Nations, Sep 25 (UNI) India, Russia, China and Brazil have pledged to intensify cooperation among themselves on global issues relating to trade, development and international financial system.

The ''BRIC initiative'' meeting was held yesterday as part of India's Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the UN and New York, sources in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said.

The four countries agreed to gradually raise their cooperation beginning with the ambassador-level which would move to the political level,'' the sources said, adding that the consultations would focus on issues of mutual interest in the international system. Several bilateral meetings were held by India on the sidelines of the ongoing 62nd UN General Assembly session.

Mr Mukherjee also met with his counterparts from Afghanistan, Algeria, Singapore, Cuba, Slovakia, the UAE, Slovenia, and Canada.

With his Afghan counterpart Rangin and dafdar spanta, he reviewed the current bilateral relations, underlined New Delhi's commitment to Afghan reconstruction they both agreed on the centrality of the security situation in the country.

Algerian minister Mourad Medelci and Mr Mukherjee underlined the need for an expanded cooperation between the two countries, with a particular emphasis on economic ties. Boosting cultural and economic relationships were also mulled.

At the meeting with his Cuban counter part, the minister recalled Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Havan a year ago and the meeting with Fidel Castro held on the sidelines of a Non-Aligned Movement summit there.

The sources expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the minister's talks with his Slovak, the UAE, Slovene and Canadan counter parts in which where global and regional issues of mutual concern were highlighted.

UNI