Sanya (China): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday arrived in this resort city in southern China to attend
the third BRICS summit where he is expected to discuss "fresh
uncertainties" in Gulf and North African countries.
At the summit meeting of top leaders from Brazil, Russia,
India, China and South Africa (BRICS), Singh is expected to
make a strong pitch for coordinated efforts on major issues
like energy and food security.
Singh, who arrived in this coastal city on Hainan island,
will hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao,
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Brazilian President Dilma
Rouseff and South African President Jacob Zuma.
The Prime Minister will be here for three days after
which he will travel to Kazakhstan as part of five-day
two-nation tour.
"The traditional sources of economic growth are still
under stress, even as fresh uncertainties have emerged as a
result of recent developments in different parts of the
world," Singh had said in his departure statement in New
Delhi.
The Summit is expected to discuss the volatile situation
in Gulf and North African countries, including Libya,
considering the feeling of uncertainty it has created with
regard to energy supplies and prices, a senior official said.
Libya is an "extremely important issue" as it affects
all the BRICS nations and is expected to be deliberated upon,
Manbir Singh, Secretary (Economic Relations), in the External
Affairs Ministry said.
"I look forward to a wide ranging exchange of views with
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) leaders
on the state of world economy and the contribution which BRICS
can make in sustaining the process of global economic and
financial recovery," Singh said.
India would like to discuss and understand the viewpoint
of other member countries on the international financial and
economic situation, inflation that is affecting several
countries and volatility in currency.
"If we can coordinate our positions on some key areas
such as sustainable development, balanced growth, energy and
food security, reform of international financial institutions
and balanced trade, that will be to our advantage," the Prime
Minister said.
Singh, who would be attending the third summit of BRICS
grouping since the first stand alone meeting in 2009, said the
conclave would see the participation of South Africa for the
first time.
"India welcomes South Africa`s membership of BRICS,
which will provide an African perspective to our
deliberations", he said.
During the five-day tour, Singh will also pay a two-day
bilateral visit from April 15 to Kazakhstan where the two
countries are expected to sign at least six pacts, including
an inter-governmental agreement on civil nuclear cooperation.
PTI
