New Delhi, November 4
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will stress on fight against global terrorism and the challenges in Afghanistan during his visit to the USA, the UK and Russia beginning today.

The Prime Minister who left for a nine-day visit to the three countries this morning said before leaving, “in my discussions in all three countries, I will place particular emphasis on issues relating to international terrorism and the urgent need to address the challenges of post-conflict Afghanistan”.

Mr Vajpayee said though there were differences in Indo-US ties during the cold war period but pointed out that now relations between the two countries were on a different plane. “Ab mausam saaf hai, anukul hai (now the climate is conducive) he said while pointing out that the two largest democracies were together in fighting terrorism.

He said that he was paying a working visit to the USA at the invitation of President George W. Bush and was hopeful that his discussions in the USA would lead to the consolidation of the many positive trends in bilateral relationship over recent years.

He said his visit to New York to address the UN General Assembly would provide him an opportunity to meet some important world leaders.

Stating that his visit to Russia was in the backdrop of the “vibrant” relations between the two countries, Mr Vajpayee said his parleys with President Vladimir Putin and other Russian leaders would focus on further accelerating the enhanced tempo of bilateral ties, deepening political understanding and expanding the range of economic interactions.

ST. PETERSBURG: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Sunday began a four-day state visit to Russia firmly focussed on furthering the strategic relationship between the two countries and making common cause with Moscow in combating and defeating terrorism, be it in Jammu and Kashmir or Chechnya.