Manmohan Singh arrives in Pittsburgh for G-20 summit amid tight securityIndia News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived on Thursday here to participate in the G-20 summit amid tight security arrangements. As the world leaders converge in Pittsburgh to attend the summit, US military helicopters can be seen hovering all around the steel city. More than 19 million dollars have been reportedly spent on providing security cover for the G20 summit. To keep the violent protesters at bay, the US Government has roped in National Guard combat battalion, which has just returned from Iraq duty. Nearly 900 police officials are manning and patrolling the streets of Pittsburgh. The city authorities have also roped in additional 3000 state and federal officials to guard the world leaders. Later leaders of the group of 20 industrialised and developing nations will meet in new energy efficient center and will dine at the Phipps conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This is third time that the leaders of the 20 developed and developing nations are meeting since the onset of the economic meltdown, which started in the second half of 2008. The G20 Pittsburgh summit is taking place at a time when developed world no more holds the card to revive the global economy and developing countries like India and China have emerged stronger, showing healthy signs of recovery. During the two-day summit, India is expected to make a strong pitch against protectionism and will urge the world for tighter regulatory regime. Dr. Singh will also urge the G20 members to reform international institutions like the IMF and the World Bank keeping in view the current economic trends. India is seeking an increase in its vote share in these institutions. India is also expected to defend the stimulus package and will caution the world from pulling out it The Prime Minister will attend a reception and dinner by US President Barack Obama later in the day. The next day, there will be a summit plenary and a lunch, which will be attended by world leaders. Dr. Singh will leave Pittsburgh on September 25. Dr Singh will also be interacting with other heads of government and hold bilateral meeting with some of them.