Ban Ki-moon wants India to play greater role in world affairs

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said he expects India to play a greater role in world affairs and "lead by example" in helping countries in the Arab world to achieve democratic stability.

Ban, who begins a three-day official visit to India tomorrow, said the focus of his trip will be towards building an even stronger relationship with India.

"India is a very valued and strong partner of the UN and I really want to reinforce such a strong partnership" during the visit, Ban said in an interview here ahead of his trip.

The UN Chief said his message to India will be that he expects the world's largest democracy to "play a greater role" in global affairs.

"India should speak out and also help those countries in transition in the Arab world and North Africa. India can show and lead by example and share its experience in the democratisation process," Ban said.

"All in all I am very happy with current level of partnership between UN and India. But we are working (to have an) even better, even more and even stronger relationship. That is the main purpose (of the visit)," he said.

As one of the leading non-aligned movement and G-77 member as well as an emerging power in world economy, India has been playing a great role in UN Security Council in addressing peace and security particularly in addressing the Arab spring and democratisation process in Middle East and North Africa, he said.