India looks forward to work with UN on important global issues

New Delhi, Apr 27 (PTI) India looks forward to work with the UN on important international matters, including the worrisome situation in Syria, disputes between Sudan and South Sudan, and Afghanistan, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was told today. This was conveyed to Ban by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna in a meeting during which both leaders also discussed other crucial regional issues. Krishna also said that the fight against piracy and international cooperation in counter-terrorism are global challenges to which India attaches priority, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. "Welcome back to New Delhi, the city where u (you) began your illustrious diplomatic career 'friend of India'," Akbaruddin quoted Krishna as having said while greeting Ban. Ban is now in India on a four-day visit, During the day he received an honorary doctorate from the New Delhi based Jamia Millia Islamia university, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi memorial and had meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Congress party president and ruling UPA coalition chairperson Sonia Gandhi, besides with Krishna. PTI