New York/NEW DELHI, 12 September — US President George W Bush’s speech to the UN General Assembly will not only provide the “subtext” for its 57th session but is also likely to shape the Indian agenda during Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s six-day visit here.

Bush, who is scheduled to address the UN today, is expected to seek wider support for his proposed military action against Iraq, a move for which he now has the backing of only Britain.

Iraq has for long been a close ally of India in the Arab world and so India is unlikely to openly back any US move to act against the Saddam Hussein regime.

External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, in his meetings in Washington with US officials including Secretary of State Colin Powell, is believed have reiterated the Indian stand that any decision on targeting Baghdad should be accomplished through a multilateral forum like the UN.

Briefing newsmen here late Tuesday after Vajpayee’s arrival in New York, India’s permanent representative to the UN, Vijay Nambiar, indicated that the prime minister’s address to the General Assembly tomorrow could contain references to Iraq. “Some reference to Iraq is possible,” Nambiar said in response to a pointed question.

Analysts see in the Indian position on Iraq evidence of New Delhi’s general displeasure with the US failure to fully pressurize Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to end its support to cross-border terror in Kashmir and give up efforts to disrupt assembly elections in the state.

The highlight of Vajpayee’s week-long tour of the United States is his meeting with Bush, which is scheduled for today.

Sources indicate cross-border terrorism will top the agenda of Vajpayee’s discussions with Bush. Vajpayee’s primary concern is to appraise Bush and other world leaders about Pakistan’s failure to fulfill its promise of ending cross-border terrorism.

Vajpayee will also draw Bush’s attention to Pakistan’s attempts to disrupt forthcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Vajpayee is also expected to discuss with Bush certain bilateral issues. These could include transfer of technology and lifting of sanctions US imposed on India after its nuclear tests. Vajpayee is also likely to seek US support for a permanent membership in the UN Security Council.