Economic growth to Ebola India's top agenda in G-20 Summit in Brisbane

NEW DELHI: Boosting economic growth, energy security, climate change, combating Ebola, IMF reforms besides agreeing on automatic exchange of information on tax and reducing costs on remittances back home will top the agenda in G20 Summit at Brisbane on November 15-16, Suresh Prabhu, who is Modi's 'sherpa' for the meet announced in New Delhi on Thursday.

Addressing a press meet on how India looked at the G20 summit, Prabhu said, steps to increase global growth are high on the agenda and India's contribution towards achieving this objective will be “quiet substantial”.

A communique issued at a recent meet of G20 Finance Ministers in Cairns, Australia said there is “no room for complacency” and that the group nations must commit to develop new measures to foster growth. He pointed out the growth must not mean only rise in economic output but also create more jobs.

Prabhu, a former power minister, said the G20 should continue to focus on improving transparency in energy markets, particularly gas markets and promoting energy efficiency.” We want changes in global energy mix. There should be more transparent changes in moving towards renewable and clear energy.”

Prabhu said India will utilise the G20 forum to push for a strong action on this critical issue. G20 countries account of 90% of world's GDP. “The negotiations should conclude faster,” he added.

India, which is world's largest recipient of remittances with $71 billion sent last year, will urge the upcoming G20 summit in Brisbane to work on steps to reduce costs in sending money home from abroad.

There are calls for Australia to use its Presidency of the G20 to cut the costs incurred by migrants wanting to send money home to their relatives in developing countries.