Manila, Philippines (BBN)– Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda will begin an official visit to India from 17 October to mark 25 years of development partnership between India and ADB.

During his three-day visit, Mr. Kuroda will join senior government leaders at a commemorative ceremony, and participate in discussions on the long-term development challenges and opportunities facing Asian countries at the Eminent Persons’ Forum in New Delhi. Both events are jointly organized by the government of India and ADB.

“ADB’s operations in India have steadily grown over the last 25 years. President Kuroda’s visit reflects ADB’s strong partnership with India and our continuing commitment to support the Government’s efforts to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth,” said Hun Kim, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission.

While in India, Mr. Kuroda will also visit ADB-funded urban development, road and energy projects in Madhya Pradesh and meet senior officials from the state.

ADB began its operations in India in 1986. The relationship between both partners goes back much further, as India was one of the founding members of ADB in 1966.

Between 1986 and 2010, ADB has supported over 150 projects across eight sectors, with an estimated cost of $24 billion.  ADB’s projects are spread across over 20 states of the country.

ADB recently approved a new three-year country operations business plan for 2012-2014 that will provide lending assistance of $6.25 billion to support inclusive and sustainable growth in the country.

BBN/SSR/AD-14Oct11-5:15 pm (BST)