Manmohan Singh and other leaders attend G20 summit (in pics)

St Petersburg, Sept 5: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in St Petersburg to join other leaders at the 8th G20 summit and find ways to tackle the challenges faced by the global economy, especially the turmoil in currency markets. With the economy stooping so low in the country, will Singh get any ideas to bring it up, only time will show. But by then, the plans are to meet several foreign leaders and "talk".

Apart from attending the summit and holding bilateral talks, the PM will also meet with leaders from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa, which collectively form the BRICS group. Singh will return to New Delhi on Saturday.

G20 assumed significance after its elevation to summit-level forum in 2008

The main theme of the 8th G20 summit is starting a new cycle of growth through quality jobs and investment, trust and transparency and effective regulation. The past summits were held in Washington, London, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Seoul, Cannes and Los Cabos. Besides India, the G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union.

Originally formed at the level of finance ministers and central bank governors in 1999 after the East Asian economic crisis, the G20 assumed significance after its elevation to a summit-level forum in 2008, following the global financial crisis.

In St. Petersburg

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh being welcomed on his arrival at Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg, Russia on Wednesday to attend the 8th G20 Summit.

In New Delhi

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh boards the special aircraft to depart for the G20 Summit, to be held at St. Petersburg, Russia, at AFS Palam in New Delhi on Wednesday.

In St. Petersburg

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with wife Gursharan Kaur on his arrival at Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg, Russia on Wednesday for the 8th G20 Summit.

In St. Petersburg

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, arrives in St. Petersburg, Russia on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. U.S. President Barack Obama will seek to bolster international support for a strike against Syria during talks with world leaders this week at the Group of 20 summit.

In St. Petersburg

China's President Xi Jinping, second left, arrives in St. Petersburg, Russia on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. U.S. President Barack Obama will seek to bolster international support for a strike against Syria during talks with world leaders this week at the Group of 20 summit.

With inputs from IANS.

OneIndia News