India to focus on terrorism, global economy and UNSC reforms

Ahead of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly, India on Monday said its focus at the high-level meeting will be terrorism, UN Security Council reforms, managing the global financial system, Palestine and piracy.

Over 120 world leaders will gather at the United Nations for the 67th session of the General Assembly, with the theme of this year's general debate being 'Adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means.'

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna is scheduled to reach New York on September 27 and will address the world body on October 1. He will also attend a number of meetings including those of the G4, BRICS, G77 and the Commonwealth.

Sources said Krishna is also likely to hold bilateral meetings with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well as with leaders from China and Egypt. They said it is "unlikely" that a meeting will take place between Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar.

Krishna had visited Islamabad for a three-day visit earlier in September. Sources said they do not foresee another meeting in New York between the two.

Outlining India's focus for the UNGA, the country's Permanent Representative to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri told PTI that focus would be on the evolving situation in the Middle East including Palestine, the hot spots in Africa like Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and piracy, which, he said, is "becoming an increasing nuisance from India's point of view."

Puri said the other major preoccupation for India has been the issue of Security Council reform, a "tough and lonely battle" for which "you have to fight each day in order to keep the process alive."

He said India was able to get a reference to Security Council reform included in the outcome document for a high-level meeting on 'Rule of Law', which will take place on Monday.

He said for India, key issues would also include managing the global economy and the financial system, securing stable food and energy supplies, challenges of economic development, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

Puri said the theme of this year's general debate is appropriate as the last few months have witnessed a "recourse to punitive and coercive measures in Libya and use of all
necessary means, which is an euphemism for military action by NATO."

During the GA session, high-level meetings have been organised on pressing global issues including Rule of Law, sustainable energy for all, peace building, the situation in the Middle East and countering nuclear terrorism.