French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde today said India is willing to consider her candidature for the post of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Managing Director.
"I have demonstrated my merits and it is for them to decide whether I am good enough or not for the post of IMF... They expressed positive views about my credentials and they are willing to consider my candidature", she said in an TV interview.
Lagarde, who is on a day long visit to India, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia to seek support for her candidature.
She further said that merit and not nationality should be the criteria for the IMF's top post.
"I found myself in agreement with them (Indian leaders) that process should be open and transparent.. Nationality or region of origin should not be privileged or prejudice you in any way", she said.
When asked how she would function as the head of the multilateral agency without any degree in economics, Lagarde said, "I don't feel not having degree in economics is a handicap".
On whether the time has come for a candidate from emerging market to head the IMF, she said, "neither it should come from emerging economies nor developed world as (Prime Minister Manmohan) Singh rightly said. It (selection) should be based on merit of candidate."
