Manmohan, Bush to talk bilateral issues

At their first summit meet on Tuesday, leaders of world's two major democracies will consider ways of enhancing strategic ties.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George W Bush will discuss a wide range of bilateral and international issues, including the need for the world community to fight terrorism collectively, when they hold their first summit meeting in New York on Tuesday.

HT Image

At their breakfast meeting a few hours ahead of the United Nations General Assembly session, the leaders of the world's two major democracies would consider ways of deepening the "Strategic Partnership" which has taken a major step forward with the US easing restrictions on the supply of equipment and technology for India's space and nuclear programmes.

Closely watched would be Singh's first meeting with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Friday where Confidence Building Measures, including steps to increase people to people contacts, would be discussed.

Prior to leaving New Delhi, Singh said that he expects the meeting with Musharraf to be "wholesome" and a "further step" in the ongoing bilateral dialogue between the two countries. All issues, "very much including Kashmir," will be on the table when the two leaders meet.

This issue could come up during Singh's discussions with the world leaders as he presses for sustained and united fight against the scourge and stresses that there should be no double standards when dealing with this international menace.