New Delhi, March 16 (IANS): Calling India a "bright" spot on the global economic horizon, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Monday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting here that India would continue on the growth path that had recently picked up.

"India's growth rate has crossed 7.5 percent, she (Lagarde) said, adding that it is the bright spot in the global economy. She expressed hope that India would continue on this growth path," the Prime Minister's Office said in a release here.

Lagarde commenced her two-day visit to India here, which will take her to Mumbai on Tuesday.

According to the PMO, the prime minister said his focus, while promoting growth, was to create jobs, have inclusive growth, and focus on development of backward regions in eastern and northeastern India.

He also emphasised the need to have greater representation for Indians at the higher level of the IMF, particularly at the deputy managing director level, the release added.