Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath on Thursday described protectionism as a threat to world economy.

"I believe in the long term, protectionism will not serve in salvaging the economic situation of any country," he told a press conference on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, which kicked off Wednesday in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.

Nath said he had heard "sounds on protectionism" in countries like the United States, adding "I do hope these sounds will not turn into reality."

He also expressed hope that the new US administration would look at the Doha Round of global trade talks in a positive manner "because it's more imperative now to have a rules-based multilateral system."

He said India's economy may grow by 7 to 7.5 percent in 2009, supported by government spending plans and the growth of domestic demand.

Some estimates put India's economic growth this year at 6 percent due to global economic crisis.

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2009)