Annan to talk UN reform with Indian leaders today

The official parleys of Annan, who arrived here with his wife last Monday on a three-day visit, to start today when he meets President APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh.

In a break from protocol, Natwar Singh received Annan at the airport on his arrival here.

In an arrival statement here Monday night, Annan said he hoped to discuss UN reforms with Indian leadership and "other issues of interest to both of us."

He emphasised the need for respecting human rights as an essential prerequisite for development and security.

"There cannot be security without development and there cannot be development without security and we will have neither unless we respect human rights", Annan said.

Considerable significance is being attached to Annan's interaction with Indian leaders since the subject of UN reforms would be taken up in the Millennium Review Summit to be held in New York this September, Indian officials said.