PM in Washington for G-20 Summit

Washington, Nov 15: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here on Saturday, Nov 15 to participate in the G-20 Summit, which has its theme 'Financial Markets and World Economy'.

The focus of the Summit will revolve on the global financial and economic crisis which has now engulfed almost the entire world. The present global turmoil is regarded as the worst ever since the Great Depression of the 1930s. The Indian delegation will make out a case for greater assistance to developing countries to help them tide over the financial crisis which is not of their making. The key members in the delegation are Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

The Prime Minister is expected to argue for geater developmental assistance to India to spur growth and employment.

Soon after his arrival, Dr Singh was closetted with Mr Chidambaram and Mr Ahluwalia. The two experts gave the Prime Minister their assessment of the global economic crisis and its likely impact on India as well as the strategic aims to be pursued at the Summit.

The Prime Minister, later in the evening, will attend a dinner to be hosted by US President George W Bush.

UNI