India is in constant touch with several nations on the selection of a new chief for the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Tuesday.
“Our executive directors in the IMF are meeting and exchanging views. I am regularly being informed what is happening. I am in touch with other Finance Ministers,” Mr. Mukherjee told journalists when asked about India's role in the selection of the new IMF chief.
The race for the post has hotted up after Dominique Strauss-Kahn recently resigned as managing director while facing charges of attempting to rape a maid in an elite New York hotel suite.
Mr. Mukherjee said Indian officials were constantly in touch with the executives of other IMF member countries to find a replacement for Mr. Strauss-Kahn.
On the possibility of the new IMF chief coming from the developing countries, Mr. Mukherjee said it would depend on the shareholders. “The shareholders' voting powers are relevant factors. We have to keep it in mind,” he added.
The IMF, a 187-member international lender, aims to replace Mr. Strauss-Kahn by June 30. Traditionally the top post is held by a European, but the chorus is increasing that the new chief should be from a developing country.
Several leaders from European countries have extended support to Christine Lagarde, Finance Minister of France. Media reports said on Monday that Mexico nominated Agustin Carstens, Governor of the Banco de Mexico, although Brazil, Latin America's leading economy, appeared reluctant to back him.
