Manmohan may skip UN annual session

OWING to his preoccupation with other pressing foreign policy issues and important international events, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to skip the 61st annual session of the UN General Assembly beginning third-week of September.

This is after several years that the Indian Prime Minister would not be addressing the UN General Assembly, though his attendance, officials say, is traditionally not considered to be a diplomatic must.

Beginning September 11, Singh is on a week-long trip to Brazil and Cuba. He will attend the India- Brazil-South Africa Forum in Brazil, and the 14th Non Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Cuba.

However, India-watchers at the UN observe that the next few months were very crucial for country, especially at a time when Shashi Tharoor has been fielded for the post of the UN Secretary General, and India is making a strong bid for a permanent seat in the Security Council.

Though a late entrant, Tharoor has emerged as the second most favorite contender for the post of Secretary General. The months of September and October are going to be crucial for his bid, says sources. Some observers feel that the appearance of Singh at the General Assembly session and his meetings with world leaders would strengthen Tharoor’s bid.

The General Assembly is expected to discuss reforms in the Security Council and the G-4, of which India is a part, is expected to renew its efforts for permanent membership in the Security Council.

However, some observers are of the opinion that Singh’s decision to skip the meet this year reflected the strength of its foreign policy. They said this only indicated how confident India was about its decision.

The India team this time to the UN is expected to be led by a Cabinet Minister. Though the buzz in New Delhi is that a new Foreign Minister would be appointed before the General Assembly session begins, there is probability that a top cabinet minister could lead the Indian delegation. The two ministers of state for foreign affairs, E. Ahamed and Anand Sharma, will represent India at other crucial meetings.