Nuclear cooperation tops agenda of PM's visit to US, France

The crucial civil nuclear cooperation will be high on the agenda of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his 10-day visit to the US and France beginning today.

The Prime Minister will attend the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) where he would pitch for collective and multilateral approaches to deal with global challenges like food and energy crises and terrorism.

"I will draw the world community's attention to the need for the reform of international institutions, including of the United Nations, and to address global challenges such as the food and energy crises, terrorism and progress on the Millennium Development Goals," he said in a departure statement.

On the sidelines of the UNGA, Singh would also hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders including those from China and Pakistan. He would then visit Washington on Thursday at the invitation of President George W Bush.

"I look forward to my discussions with him on the entire range of issues on our bilateral agenda with the United States, including our civil nuclear initiative," he said.

He noted that bilateral relations with the US had "expanded significantly" in areas of interests like education, trade, business, technology, energy and agriculture.

"The engagement between the two countries has strengthened and we are pursuing the multi-faceted cooperation to our mutual benefit," the Prime Minister said.