Prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that US is a long-term partner in India’s development efforts, and in fostering a global environment that is conducive to our growth. Dr. Singh left on five day visit to US and UN General Assembly.

In his departure statement, he pointed out that for India, the US remains a key source of technology, investment, innovation and resources, and one of the most important destinations for our goo ds and services. India and US have productive and deepening partnerships in trade and investment, defence, counter-terrorism, civil nuclear energy, environment among many other sectors. Shri Singh hoped tha his visit will provide an an opportunity to review joint efforts and chart a course for future cooperation between two countries.

The Prime Minister will be addressing UN General Assembly on 28th September. He pointed out that the UN General Assembly is meetingat a time of enormous political upheaval, particularly in West Asia, coupled with a global economic slowdown that has now affected even the emerging economies. India will convey its strong conviction that global challenges are best addressed through multilateral approaches, with the United Nations at its centre.

The UN General Assembly will focus this year on the follow up to the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development held in Rio de Janeiro, which marked the 20th anniversary of the Earth Summit. The General Assembly will also look at drawing up the global development agenda after 2015, which is the target date for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set in 2000. The prime minister said that in his address he will emphasize the importance of maintaining poverty eradication and inclusive development at the core of the post-2015 development agenda.

Dr Manmohan Singh said that in his address to General Assembly he will also stress the pressing need for early reform of institutions of global political and economic governance, particularly the United Nations Security Council, so that the UN can play an effective and credible role. The year 2015 will mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and it would be a fitting occasion to conclude the ongoing reform efforts.

During his visit to New York, the prime minister will also have bilateral meetings with the leaders of some of the neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.