Climate change, energy and food security will be India's focus at G-8: PM
6 Jul 2008, 2058 Hrs

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New Delhi, July 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said here today that at the G-8 outreach summit, he will present India's perspectives on a wide range of global issues including state of the world economy, development, trade, transfer of technology, energy security and food security.

Dr. Singh in a statement on the eve of his departure to Japan conveyed to the international community that climate change, energy security and food security are interlinked, and require an integrated approach.

Prior to the meeting with the G-8 leaders, he will attend a meeting of outreach countries being hosted by the President of Mexico on July 8.

"Over the years, India's participation in the G-8 and outreach countries dialogue process has enabled it to articulate its concerns on a wide range of issues in a forthright manner, on an equal footing," Dr. Singh said.

The Prime Minister said he would also participate in the meeting of the leaders of major economies at which the issue of climate change will be high on the table.

He said that there could be no solution to the issue without taking into account the developmental imperatives and aspirations of developing economies.

Dr. Singh said that he is also looking forward to participating in an informal meeting of the Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) leaders on the sidelines of the G-8 Summit.

On the sidelines of the summit Dr. Singh will have discussions with the leaders of Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Canada, Indonesia, Australia and the UN Secretary General.

The Prime Minister will also meet the US President George Bush on Wednesday, which is being considered a crucial bilateral meeting to give the much-needed political push to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal. (ANI)