There had been a paradigm shift in international perception about India's economic policies and technological prowess, a United Nations official said on Wednesday.

"The perception about India and its economic policies has changed. The international community no longer holds the traditional image about India," UN Deputy Secretary General Louise Frechette said during her meeting with Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission K C Pant in New Delhi.

She said she was impressed with the kind of progress made by the country in technological sectors, and the global community was closely observing that developments in India.

Underlining the need for greater market accessibility for Indian agricultural and handicraft exports, Pant said it was necessary to maintain the country's economic growth rate.

Referring to the Millennium Goals set by the United Nations, he said a multi-pronged approach has been developed to reduce poverty and address problems of regional disparity.

Pant also said the country was comfortably placed to achieve the Millennium Goals which included poverty eradication, achieving universal primary education, gender equality, developing global partnership for development, combating HIV/AIDS and malaria and ensuring sustainable environment.