Hectic schedule awaits PM in NY

New York, Sep 23 (UNI) As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives here later today (early morning tomorrow IST) for his two-leg US visit, a hectic schedule awaits him.

Dr Singh, who arrives from Frankfurt, would meet with several world leaders such as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, besides US President George W Bush in Washington.

On the UN sidelines, meetings with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, aside from Namibian President Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba are slated. Bilateral talks with all the leaders are expected to focus on regional and international issues.

In Washington, a meeting with World Bank President Robert Zoellick is also not excluded. And by the time Dr Singh meets on a ''working visit'' with Mr Bush on September 25, the Indo-US nuclear deal is expected to have passed by the US Congress.

On September 25 morning, Dr Singh would attend a summit at the UN on the Millennium Development Goals which include poverty eradication and ensuring health care to the poor.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 26, a day after the Pakistani President speaks to the world body.

Dr Singh would have an opportunity to talk to Mr Zardari with respect to Indo-Pak bilateral issues.

The already tight security in New York has been strengthened in view of the presence of world leaders for the UN General Assembly session. Bomb-sniffing dogs, command posts and sharp shooters are in place.

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