People listen when Indian Prime Minister speaks: Obama

Toronto, Jun 28 (ANI): Praising Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan SIngh's knowledge of economic activities, which US President Barack Obama said were of service to the G-20 summit which was focused on finding a way out of the economic crisis.

President Obama and Prime Minister Singh held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit.

"I said before and I continue to believe that the extraordinary leadership that Prime Minister Singh has provided not just to India, but to the world, has helped us navigate through some very difficult times," Obama said.

"And I can tell you that here at the G20, when the Prime Minister speaks people listen, particularly because of his deep knowledge of economic issues, as well as the fact that he understands that as India rises as a world power, not just a regional power, that it also has enormous responsibilities to work with the rest of the world community around issues of peace and prosperity," he added.

Obama also said he looks forward to an upcoming visit to India, which follows Dr. Singh's state visit to the US in November 2009.

Dr. Singh welcomed Obama's support in India's "social and economic transformation" and efforts to end the "scourge" of poverty, ignorance and disease, which he said, still afflicted India.

"It is our common endeavor, Mr. President, to give this strategic partnership a new thrust, a new meaning, a new content. And it's my privilege to be associated in this global endeavor with you, Mr. President," he said.

"You are a role model to millions and millions of people all over the world. Your life history is a history which inspires millions of people everywhere where there are people who have risen by the sheer depth of their austerity, of their hard work, and their commitment to the values on which you have worked and you've stood for," Dr. Singh said.

The G20 summit wrapped up Sunday, with world leaders agreeing to take separate paths toward shared goals of lasting growth and safer banks as two years of global crisis give way to a fragile economic recovery. By Ashok Dixit (ANI)