News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » News » PM Singh in NYC,
to meet Bush tonight

PM Singh in NYC,
to meet Bush tonight

By Saisuresh Sivaswamy in New York
Last updated on: September 14, 2005 02:05 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday afternoon landed in New York, where he will address the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

Dr Singh will have a one-on-one meeting with US President George W Bush at the latter's request. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 6.45 pm (4.15 am IST Wednesday).

This will be their second meeting in less than two months, after they signed a historic deal in Washington during Dr Singh's visit, under which the US offered to resume nuclear fuel supplies to Indian reactors.

The two leaders are likely to review progress on the agreement between the two countries under which both sides are expected to take follow up steps in implementing the deal. It is said that Iran will also figure in the talks.

The prime minister will then meet Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday. During talks with Musharraf, Dr Singh is expected to raise the matter of violence in Kashmir.

It is said that Musharraf, during a telephone conversation with Dr Singh on July 19, had promised that infiltration in Kashmir will come down in a month.

India will raise the point that though infiltration has considerably come down as on August 19, the same cannot be said about the violence in the region.

PTI adds: Singh is expected to review the progress in India-Pakistan peace process with Musharraf. More specific issues like Siachen and Sir Creek will also get mentioned, the sources said, adding that technical groundwork had to be done before these two issues are settled.

Bush is also hosting a reception in the night for world leaders, here to attend the 60th session of the United Nation General Assembly which would begin with the high-level plenary meeting of the heads of state and government from September 14 to 16.

Singh is hosting a dinner for Musharraf at the New York Palace Hotel where the Indian leader is staying.

A review of the progress of the Composite Dialogue process is on the anvil and Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek are expected to figure prominently in the talks between Singh and Musharraf.

The UN plenary this year will focus on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals as also implementation of the outcomes of other relevant major UN conferences and summits. It is expected to come out with an Outcome Document addressing UN reforms and combating the current and emerging global challenges and threats.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Saisuresh Sivaswamy in New York