Prime Minister Manmohan Singh begins a hectic round of diplomacy ahead of his address to the United Nations on Saturday. His speech will be focusing on terrorism, the economic slowdown and the Palestine issue. Dr Singh, who arrived in New York on Thursday, will hold five bilateral meetings during his stay at the UN Headquarters . Starting with a meeting with the new Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, he meets the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa later on Friday. AIR correspondent covering the Prime Minister’s visit reports his meeting with the Japanese could mark the resumption on talks for nuclear co-operation between the two countries. Official sources said India – Japan relationship has been on the upswing following elevation of the ties to the level of Strategic and Global Partnership” and pointed out that India is the largest recipient of Official Development loan from Japan. Dr. Singh will also have talks with the President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Iran-Pakistan-India Gas pipeline project is likely to figure prominently in the meeting. The deteriorating situation in the AF-PAK region, drawdown of NATO-led foreign forces from Afghanistan, besides the upheaval in West Asia are issues that may be taken up during the talks. The Prime Minister will exchange views with the new Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, the newest nation to join the world body.Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna Thursday attended a meeting of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) foreign ministers and a symposium to celebrate the 100thanniversary of the formation of the African National Congress.Speaking at another high level event on conflict prevention at the UN Security Council organized by its current president Lebanon he said there really is no sustainable alternative to political processes. He added that the primary focus of the United Nations should the facilitation of a political settlement. In a related development, India’s representative at the UN Hardeep Puri told reporters that the UN Panel on Counter terrorism has prepared a document for zero tolerance against terrorism across the globe. Mr. Puri who is Chairman of the Panel said that the outcome document will review counter terrorism co-operation in the last decade and will also work out a road map for the next ten years. Describing the document as far reaching and ambitious, Mr. Puri said it will create proper framework to enhance the co-operation of member states on the issue of counter terrorism.Mr. Puri said there is an agreed text on comprehensive convention against International terrorism and expressed the hope that the treaty could become a reality soon. The convention provides for a legal mechanism to deal with international terrorism and translational crime. On India’s stand on the Palestinian bid for the membership of the United Nations Mr. Puri categorically stated that New Delhi will extend unflinching support to Palestinian aspiration.