UPDATE 2-India PM says India reform pace will quicken

* India to wind stimulus steps next year

* PM sees GDP growth of more than 7 pct next FY

* India PM says to push economic reforms

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By Surojit Gupta and Rajesh Kumar Singh

NEW DELHI, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Sunday that India was better placed than ever before to push reforms in Asia's third largest economy and forecast the government would wind down its stimulus measures next year.

Asia's third largest economy would grow by more than 7.0 percent next year, Singh said, still below the government's medium-term rate target of 8-9 percent that is seen as helping to reduce widespread poverty.

"In the coming months and years, I hope to see a decisive change in the pace of our progress to become a leading economy in the world," Singh said.

"(We) will strive to build political concensus needed for these legislative actions to be completed."