World Bank chief lauds progress in 'Swachh Bharat', 'Clean Ganga Programme'

World Bank president Dr. Jim Yong Kim praised the progress made in the 'Swachh Bharat' and the 'Clean Ganga Programme' during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup while giving details of the meeting told the media here that the World Bank president said that the Prime Minister's reforms have had a huge impact on the way in which the world looks at India.

Swarup informed that Dr. Kim also acknowledged that what was happening in India was actually very different from what had happened in other countries and that he maintained that the World Bank wanted to be strong partner as India moves forward on these targets.

"The Prime Minister of course expounded on the progress that had been made on the number of thousands of toilets that have been constructed; on the international technology that was being sought now for the Clean Ganga Programme; on his ambitious programme of 175 giga watts of renewable energy," Swarup said.

"Then there was a discussion on the governance structure of the World Bank. The Prime Minister said that he had always supported strengthening of global governance and reform of the institution of global governance, but it was a fact also that a country like India was not represented in these structures. So this needed to change," he added.

Swarup further said the World Bank president also enquired about India's position on climate change. To which, the Prime Minister gave a lengthy exposition.