India GDP to expand 6-6.5 pct in 2009/10 - PM

NEW DELHI, Oct 20 - The Indian economy will expand at 6-6.5 percent in the year to March 2010, the prime minister said on Tuesday, despite uncertainity whether signs of a global recovery will lead to a return to a sustained growth path.

"There are incipient signs of recovery in the global economy, but it is not yet certain whether this represents a return to a secular and self-sustaining growth path," Manmohan Singh told a conference.

"Despite these negative factors, the Indian economy has shown remarkable resilience. Our growth rate in the current year will be 6 to 6.5 percent."

Singh also said the drought in the country, the worst in decades, had further hit the poorest sections of its people.