"You definitely have many assets but as you know, winning the big prize in an Olympic candidature is never easy," Rogge said in Beijing, when asked about his views on India hosting the 2020 Olympics. Rogge said New Delhi was a strong candidate to host the Games.

"I have been privy to discussions with leaders of your national Olympic committee. Yes, This is the dream of Suresh Kalmadi and Randhir Singh. In all earnest, we are always glad when there is a candidature coming from a credible, strong city," he said.

India is lobbying hard among top officials of the IOC and National Olympic Committees from across the globe to drum up support for its bid for the 2020 Games.

"After the London Games in 2012, the next Olympics might go to Americas and it would again be the turn of Asia in 2020. We feel confident of 2020," IOA president Suresh Kalmadi had said.