Tuesday, April 26 2005 07:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in New Delhi last night (Apr 25, 2005) on a three-day visit for talks with Indian leaders on UN reforms and a host of issues covering security and development.

India is expected to press on the urgent need for United Nations reforms including expansion of the UN Security Council (UNSC) during discussions its leaders will have in New Delhi with Annan.

In a departure from protocol, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh received Annan, who last visited India in March 2001.

Official circles in New Delhi are attaching special significance to the visit, which comes in the midst of concerted efforts by India to garner support for its claim for permanent membership of the Security Council.

New Delhi has been strongly advocating the need for reforms of the UN so that it reflected the contemporary realities and made the world body more relevant and effective in discharging its mandate.

On a three-day visit, Annan will today (Apr 26, 2005) hold meetings with UN officials based in New Delhi.

Tomorrow (Apr 27, 2005), he will lay a wreath at Rajghat, the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. Besides calling on President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Annan would hold discussions with Natwar Singh.

He will also have a meeting with leader of Opposition L K Advani, address a Round Table on HIV/AIDS and deliver a public address on "In larger freedom - the changing role of the UN".