PM to take up fuel price issue at G8 meet

New Delhi, July 6

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, plans to highlight at the G8/G5 outreach summit not only the impact of the sharp rise in fuel prices on the global economy but also the need for joint action by both producing and consuming nations to control it.

In a statement issued on the eve of his departure for Japan to attend the G8 summit, the Prime Minister said that India’s perspectives on a wide range of global issues, including the state of the world economy, development, trade, transfer of technology, energy security and food security would also be presented at the meeting. During the visit the Prime Minister will also attend a meeting of the G5 group of outreach countries, being hosted by the President of Mexico.

“Over the years, India’s participation in the G8/G5 dialogue process has enabled us to articulate our concerns on a wide range of issues in a forthright manner, on an equal footing. Today, India’s views are heard with respect, and there is recognition of the fact that solutions to global issues require India’s involvement,” Dr Singh said. During the visit, Dr Singh will have bilateral meeting the Prime Minister of Japan, the US President, and the leaders of Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia and the Secretary General of the United Nations.

The Prime Minister will also participate in the meeting of the leaders of major economies at which the issue of climate change will be discussed.

“I will convey to the international community India’s belief that climate change, energy and food security are interlinked, and require an integrated approach. The National Action Plan on Climate Change, which was released recently, underscores our commitment to address the challenge of climate change, and outlines concrete steps to meet this challenge,” he said.

Taken from Business Line

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