LONDON - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Friday invited Manmohan Singh and other world leaders to a London summit in April, saying they must signal ‘decisive action’ to combat the global financial crisis.

Formal invitations were issued for the Apr 2 summit of the Group of 20 (G20), which is expected to draw up an action plan to promote stability, growth and jobs.

Brown’s office said he invited the heads of state and government from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic (as current European Union President), France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Turkey and the United States.

Also invited, in the interests of balanced regional representation, were the Chair of The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the President of the EU Commission.

The Chairman of the African Union Commission will also attend, as will the heads of a number of global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

‘The global economic challenges we face need to be met with decisive action if we are to secure jobs, restore confidence and reinvigorate growth,’ Brown said.

‘Having the world’s poorest countries represented by NEPAD, ASEAN and the African Union will ensure their interests are not forgotten and their voices are heard. Having this mix of countries and international organisations present not only reflects the new reality of the global economy but will also make any action we take more effective,’ he added.