Reform should be people-driven, simplify processes: Modi at G20

Brisbane, Nov 15: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the G20 nations here on Saturday spoke of the need for reform - to make it people-driven and that it should lead to simplification of processes.

Speaking at a retreat and lunch before the G20 summit formally starts on Saturday afternoon, Modi said reform should be technology driven and should have scale and address the root causes, according to tweets posted by ministry of external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

"Reforms should lead to simplification of processes...& processes of governance must be reformed - PM @narendramodi to G-20," said a tweet.

He said: "Reform is a continuous multi-stage process... must be institutionalized - Globally, reforms are handicapped with perception of being government programs, a burden on the people, this needs to change."

"Reforms should lead to simplification of processes... and processes of governance must be reformed," he said.

"Reform is bound to face resistance... must be insulated from political pressures. Reform has to be driven by the people....cannot be by stealth," he added.

Earlier, in his first engagement of the day, Modi said repatriation of black money kept abroad was a key priority and called for "close coordination" on the issue during a meeting of BRICS leaders here.

The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world's largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world's population, 85 percent of global gross domestic product and over 75 percent of global trade.

The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, Britain, the US and the European Union.

IANS