Indian PM Embarks On A 4-day Durban Visit To Attend BRICS Summit

New Delhi, March 26, IRNA – India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday embarked on a 4-day visit to Durban for attending the BRICS Summit. Accompanied by a high-power delegation including Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, Singh will attend the summit of five nations on Mar 26 and 27 when discussions will also be held on steps to ensure global macroeconomic stability as well as mechanisms and measures to promote investment in infrastructure and sustainable development. The first BRICS Summit on the African soil is expected to declare the launching of a development bank for undertaking infrastructure and development projects. The idea of the bank, mooted by India last year during its presidency, has been supported by China. Finance Ministers of BRICS nations will meet in Durban tomorrow to give final touches to the bank. In his departure statement, Singh said the Durban Summit provides a useful and timely opportunity to consult and coordinate on a broad range of issues with BRICS partners. ˈWe will discuss ways to revive global growth and ensure macroeconomic stability as well as mechanisms and measures to promote investment in infrastructure and sustainable development. The Prime Minister also said that he looked forward to meeting with the new Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss how India and China can maintain the positive trajectory of relationship and further strengthen ˈthis very important bilateral relationshipˈ. On the sidelines of the Summit, Singh will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders./end