Terror, Afghanistan, Syria figure in Ban's talks with India

New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) Terrorism, alarming security situation in Afghanistan, worrisome situation in Syria and disputes between Sudan and South Sudan were some of the key international issues discussed between UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Indian leadership here with both wanting to enhance their cooperation on these issues. Ban, who is on a four-day visit, also said the global body encourages India to pursue bilateral and multi-lateral dialogue with nuclear-possessing states to permanently eliminate the threat posed by proliferation of nuclear weapons. He held a series of meetings on Friday Indian with leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, ruling UPA coalition chairperson Sonia Gandhi and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, during which the sides also discussed international and regional terrorism, including in Af-Pak region. Briefing the reporters after his parleys, Ban said "the situation in Afghanistan is a sources of concern" and recent attack are a "sources of alarm". He said both India and Pakistan could play an important role in stablising the situation in the war-torn country and pitched for a multi-pronged strategy which included socio-economic development packages and continuation of the reconciliation process. He also said the upcoming Chicago meet on Afghanistan will ponder over the crucial drawdown of the US-led Western forces by 2014. On Syria, he said violence and killings were "unacceptable" and must stop and there should be greater restraint by Syrian government which should undertake an inclusive political dialogue. He also talked about the deployment of UN "supervision" mission in Syria. Asked about North Korea, Ban said it should not undertake provocative tests. Speaking about India, the UN chief said New Delhi has been making impressive economic growth. However, he said there are serious disparities between the rich and the poor and underlined that it was government's responsibility to provide basic support. Ban also said he was encouraged by the rising profile of India and China and stressed on the need for the global body to reflect the "dynamic changing" situation. He also admitted the international community had failed to come up with a comprehensive strategy to deal with the issue of Somalian piracy. He said a comprehensive strategy was needed to deal with aspects of piracy such as incentives to young Somalian pirates, wages and means to handle captured pirates. PTI