The United Nations' agency for humanitarian affairs is seeking greater collaboration with India on issues of emergency relief in the region. It is also keen to learn lessons from India's own experiences in the field of disaster management. The UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos has met in New Delhi a number of Indian officials, including the Home Secretary and representatives of India's disaster management authorities to discuss the prospect of greater cooperation. The first chief of the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs now on a to visit India, said that India has been an important partner for the UN in the field of humanitarian work and the agency's Asia Pacific office in Bangkok would do well to increase exchanges and cooperation with the country. Among the issues she discussed with Indian officials during her meetings included the role that India sees itself playing in the region in supporting disaster preparedness.