The Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee has asserted that India is firm on a high GDP growth path of 8.5 to nine percent.

The statement assumes significance in the wake of global economic crisis in USA and some European countries.

Inaugurating a function to mark the Silver Jubilee celebrations of India and Asian Development Bank partnership in New Delhi today, Mr. Mukherjee however cautioned that India has to be alert and respond to the emerging challenges and concern to achieve the growth target.

He called for harnessing skills and innovations for sustained growth and urged the bank to see how the social protection schemes can be better designed to help the poor and needy.

Mr. Pranab Mukherjee strongly advocated to forge bonds of Asian unity and said that the bank can play an effective role to bring entire Asia community together on one platform.

He urged the Asian Development Bank to contribute in tapping efficiently the use of water and other natural resources in India to increase the agricultural production. This, he said will help in addressing the food security and volatility in prices which is a matter of great concern.

The Finance Minister called for making both intellectual and innovative efforts for sustainable development.

He called upon the ADB to cover new grounds through study and research on how Asian countries can harness skill innovations for sustaining growth.

Mr. Mukherjee also stressed the need for designing an inclusive development agenda to extend the benefits of social schemes to the poor and needy.

The Finance Minister said that India is ready to help and partner with the Asian Development Bank in its vision of achieving a hunger and poverty free Asia.

Addressing the function, the President of Asian Development Bank Haruhiko Kuroda said that the bank remains committed in strengthening its partnership with India in the areas of rural development, water resources management, agri business, infrastructure development and financial inclusion.

He added that the bank has been already in partnership with India in sectors like energy, transportation and urban infrastructure in the country.

AIR correspondent reports that the one day Eminent Persons Forum to commemorate the partnership, experts, bankers, policy makers and other stake holders are participating to prepare a blue print for a strong Asian economy.