Dr Singh does not have any official programme on September 23, the day of his arrival in New York City.  But the next day is action-filled. He is scheduled to meet Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, president of the World Bank Robert B Zoellick and Pakistani President Asif Zardari, and Italy's [Images] prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, apart from McCain.

On September 25 he will fly to Washington, DC, to meet US President George Bush [Images] at the Oval Office and both the leaders, who share a warm relationship, are slated to also have an early working dinner.

The prime minister's address to the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled for September 26 around 4 pm.

On September 27 evening he will meet community leaders at the Hotel New York Palace. There is also a reception arranged for the visiting prime minister by India's Ambassador to the US, Ronen Sen, at Hotel Waldorf on September 27.

For the next few days all eyes will be on the fate of the 123 agreement in US Congress. The two leaders' meeting on September 25 will herald a new era if the 123 agreement is ready when the PM arrives in Washington, DC.