Brown to visit the United States in April

Prime Minister Gordon Brown will visit the United States in April in a trip in which he is likely to push for reform at world institutions and to discuss the global credit crunch.

The government has said it wants to make powerful, decision-making institutions more representative of the interests of developing nations. Brown backs India's bid for a permanent seat, along with other countries, on an expanded U.N. Security Council.

Meetings with Democratic White House hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton could take place.

Brown's relationship with U.S. President George W. Bush has been less cosy than that enjoyed by his predecessor, Tony Blair, who was caricatured as "America's poodle" by British media and some politicians.

Blair's close ties to the United States were blamed as a key driver behind the unpopular decision to send British troops into the Iraq war, and contributed to his downfall last year.

Brown's trip is scheduled for April 16 to 20, his office said.