PM leaves for London to attend G-20; to meet Obama

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left for London on Tuesday where he will discuss issues like terror security and urge the developed world to desist from protectionist policies and ensure adequate flow of funds to developing nations to reverse the effect of financial crisis.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday embarked on a visit to London where he will discuss with US President Barack Obama, during their first meeting, the problem of terror emanating from Pakistan and ways to deal with it.

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On his first visit abroad after undergoing heart bypass surgery two months back, Singh will attend the G-20 Summit where he will press the developed world to desist from protectionist policies and ensure adequate flow of funds to developing nations to reverse the effect of financial crisis.

In a pre-departure statement in New Delhi, he underlined that the Summit should come out with “purposeful actions” and “credible decisions which will help to halt and reverse the current slowdown and to instill a sense of confidence in the global economy.”

Singh’s first meeting with Obama will be a major highlight of the prime minister’s four-day visit to London as the two leaders are expected to outline the roadmap for future ties of the two countries.

The bilateral ties have witnessed significant growth under the previous George W Bush administration and India is confident that the Obama government will push that process.

A key issue on the agenda of the meeting between Singh and Obama would be the problem of terrorism emanating from Pakistan and Afghanistan.