India will make a strong pitch for the early establishment of an international convention to combat terrorism and push for reform of the United Nations at the world body's General Assembly meet where it will be represented by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Mukherjee, who leaves for New York on Tuesday, will also lay stress on global nuclear disarmament in a phased manner.
Amid growing global concerns over terrorism, India will seek early establishment of a UN convention on combating the scourge and emphasise that there should be no selective approaches with regard to the problem.
India views the developments along Afghanistan's "south and south-east border" (Pakistan) as "disturbing" and will try to ensure that the UN maintains its focus on curbing the activities there that pose a threat to the entire world.
New Delhi expects the world community to focus on the "continued deterioration" of the situation in and around Afghanistan and pay attention to the "free run of Al Qaeda elements along the south and south-eastern" border of Afghanistan, official sources said in New Delhi on Monday.
In this regard, India will press for early conclusion of negotiations on UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, which is intended to strengthen global efforts to fight the menace.
The original draft of the convention was moved by India in 1996 and negotiations are going on since then.
The discussions have been dragging on due to various reasons, including lack of consensus on the definition of terrorism.
Mukherjee, accompanied by Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, is expected to meet leaders from various countries, including the US, on the sidelines of the UNGA.
