Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the 68th session of UN General Assembly a shortwhile from now focussing 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.
Our 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 will hold his first meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sherif tomorrow where he is likely to ask him to rein in terror elements operating from Pakistan's soil and unleashing violence in India. This will be his first meeting with him after Nawaz Sherif returned to power winning the polls. Though expectations were high, Dr.Manmohan Singh himself had cautioned against it because of this week’s terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Nawaz Sharif told news persons earlier that he is committed to improving bilateral ties with India. He said he is looking forward to the meeting with Dr.Singh to make a new beginning and to re-engage with India in a substantive and purposeful dialogue.
Terrorism emanated from Pakistan dominated his talks with US President Barrack Obama yesterday. 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 has made it clear that any progress in the bilateral dialogue will depend on action by Pakistan against terror groups operating from its soil.
As part of their effort to boost defence engagements, both Dr.Singh and Obama agreed to identify areas of cooperation in the advanced defence technology in the next one year. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the full and timely implementation of the India-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.
