New Delhi, April 23
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrives here on Monday for discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External affairs minister K. Natwar Singh on the entire gamut of issues encompassing reforms of the world body reflecting contemporary realities, security, international terrorism and its commitment to world peace.

During his four-day stay here, Mr Annan will call on President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and meet other leaders as well as deliver a lecture on "In Larger Freedom-the changing role of the United Nations ".

An External Affairs Ministry press note here said the visit of the UN Secretary-General is taking place at a critical juncture with the “Millennium Review Summit” due to be held in New York in September.

Mr Annan has recently released his report "In Larger Freedom: towards security, development and human rights for all." The report has suggestions in development, security, human rights and reforms of the UN system. The visit would provide an occasion to discuss various elements of the report and the Secretary-General's detailed views on several recommendations.

India has tabled a Draft Comprehensive Convention on international terrorism in the UN in 1996. Mr Annan has urged that a comprehensive convention on terrorism be concluded before the end of the 60th session of the UN General Assembly.

New Delhi's participation in peacekeeping is a reflection of its consistent commitment to the ideal of world peace. India has participated in 42 of the 60 UN peacekeeping missions established so far. More than 71,000 Indian troops have served in the UN peacekeeping missions all over the world and almost every UN peacekeeping operation in Africa. Nearly 109 Indian soldiers have so far made the supreme sacrifice under the UN flag.