Discussions on steps to ensure global micro-economic stability will be high on the agenda of talks among the leaders during talks in the high level 5th BRICS summit beginning in Durban, South Africa tomorrow.

The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh accompanied by a high level delegation reached Durban tonight to take part in the summit. The focus of the deliberations aims at revival of global growth and faster movement of reforms in the institutions of global political and economic governance.

Ahead of departure for Durban, Dr. Manmohan Singh in his statement said the summit provides a timely opportunity to consult and coordinate on broad range of issues with BRICS partners. Dr. Singh said that India received crucial support from BRICS partners in successfully implementing ambitious agenda adopted at the New Delhi summit in March last year.

AIR correspondent covering the Prime Minister's visit reports Dr. Manmohan Singh is looking forward to hold discussions with new Chinese President Xi Jinpeng to discuss measures to further strengthen the bilateral relationship. The launching of a Development Bank for undertaking infrastructure and development projects is likely to be declared during the summit.

In the previous summit, at New Delhi India had mooted the idea of BRICS led South-South Development Bank mainly funded and managed by the countries of the grouping to recycle surpluses into investment in developing countries.

AIR correspondent reports from Durban BRICS economies will be campaigning hard during the meet for greater voting quota for emerging powers and developing countries in the institutions like World Bank and IMF.

Being the first BRICS Summit on African soil, the ‘Partnership for Development, Integration and Industrialization’ between BRICS and Africa will be an important theme of the Durban Summit. Given India’s long-standing and close friendship with Africa and growing economic partnership with the continent, including through the India-Africa Forum Summit mechanism, the Durban Summit provides an opportunity to India to reaffirm her strong and enduring commitment as a steadfast partner for inclusive development in Africa.

The Durban Summit also gives India an opportunity to make further progress on the initiatives that last BRICS Summit had launched in New Delhi to deepen intra-BRICS cooperation and fulfill the international responsibilities.