Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the 68th session of UN General Assembly tonight focusing on terrorism, expansion of U N Security Council, disarmament and development. Dr. Singh will raise the issue of recent terror attacks by militants in Sambha of Jammu and Kashmir and continuing menace of terrorism emanating from the across the border of Pakistan. He will take the opportunity to stake India's claim for permanent membership of Security Council.
AIR Correspondent says, India's claim for permanent seat in the Security Council is sure to get the backing of African countries.
The News Services Division of All India Radio will broadcast a special programme tonight on the Prime Minister's address to the UN General Assembly. It will be followed by a live discussion by experts sitting in our studio. The half an hour programme can be heard from 9.30 p.m. on Rajdhani, FM Gold channels and additional frequencies from 9.30 p.m.
Dr.Manmohan Singh's address to the world body comes after his succesful summit talks with US president Obama yeasterday. As part of their effort to boost defence engagements, India and the US agreed to identify areas of cooperation in the advanced defence technology in the next one year. In a joint statement, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the full and timely implementation of the India-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. They strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Samba in Jammu and Kashmir and called upon Pakistan to work towards bringing the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice. Condemning terrorism in all its forms, both Dr.Manmohan Singh and President Obama reaffirmed their commitment to eliminate terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, and disrupting terrorist networks including Al-Qaeda and the Lashkar-e-Toiba. President Obama promised to take up with Nawaz Sharif in a frank manner the issue of continued Pakistan-based terror directed against India. The Prime Minister told him that progress in dialogue will depend on action on this front.
Later, in a statement to the media, Prime Minister cautioned against high expectations from his meeting with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif because of this week’s terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
