United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in New Delhi on Monday night on a three-day visit for talks with Indian leaders on UN reforms and a host of issues covering security and development.
India is expected to press on the urgent need for United Nations reforms, including expansion of the Security Council, during the talks.
In a departure from protocol, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh received Annan, who last visited India in March 2001.
Official circles are attaching special significance to the visit, which comes in the midst of concerted efforts by India to garner support for its claim for permanent membership of the Security Council.
New Delhi has been strongly advocating the need for reforms of the UN so that the world body reflects the contemporary realities and makes the world body more relevant and effective in discharging its mandate.
Annan will hold meetings with UN officials in New Delhi on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, he will lay a wreath at Rajghat, the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. Besides calling on President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Annan will also hold discussions with Natwar Singh.
He will also have a meeting with Leader of Opposition Lal Kishenchand Advani, address a Round Table on HIV/AIDS and deliver a public address on 'In larger freedom -- the changing role of the UN'.
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