India is clearly gaining importance on the world stage in G20 context, U. S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said.

Bernanke, who along with U. S. treasury secretary Timothy Geithner, held meetings with business leaders and the top management of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Speaking to business leaders, Bernanke said, "India is clearly becoming a more and more important player on the world stage in G20 context, in terms of its role in the global economy."

He added that it was very useful for the U. S. to exchange ideas with India and create the foundation for future collaboration between the two countries.

In his meeting with RBI management, the U. S. Fed Chief discussed what was going on in the U. S. economy and the Indian economy. The two sides also discussed about regulatory and monetary policies.

He also met industry leaders, including CII president and Godrej Group chairman Adi Godrej, HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh, ICICI Bank MD Chanda Kochhar, and CII director general Chandrajit Banerjee; and discussed ways to improve bilateral economic relation between India and the U. S.

The U. S. Fed Chief also welcomed the Indian government's recent slew of economic reforms, including opening up of the multi-retail, aviation sectors to foreign investors.

When asked about his first ever official visit to India, Bernanke said it was "very constructive."