PM leaving for US, France tomorrow to discuss 'N' coop

New Delhi, Sep 21 (UNI) Civilian nuclear cooperation and strengthening of the Strategic Partnership will be high on the agenda during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's ten-day two-nation visit to the US and France, beginning tomorrow.

Although Dr Singh is primarily visiting the two countries to attend the UN General Assembly in New York on September 26 and the India-EU Summit at Marseille in France on September 29, he will also travel to Washington on a ''working visit'' for a meeting with US President George Bush on September 25 to ''carry forward'' on the progress on a wide range of initiatives taken between India and the US.

Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said in Washington, the two leaders will review the progress on a wide range of initiatives taken between the two countries.

The Prime Minister, who will be in the US from September 23 to 27, will address the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on September 26.

He will also meet several world leaders on the sidelines of the UNGA, including Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Details were being worked out for the Dr Singh's meetings with Mr Zardari and the Chinese Premier.

He will also attend a high-level Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on September 25 morning before visiting Washington.

Besides, there will be a mini-CHOGM at which India will be represented at a high level.

This year's UNGA theme is food security and UN reforms, both of which are important for India.

India's priority is combating terrorism, poverty elimination, sustainable development and promoting UN reforms and nuclear disarmament.

MORE UNI RB ATI BD1025