Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting of the Non Aligned Movement (Virtual)

“Non-Aligned Movement at the center of multilateral efforts
in responding to global challenges”

India Statement

by

Shri V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs

13 July 2021

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies,

I am pleased to participate in today's mid-term NAM Ministerial meeting. I thank President Aliyev of Azerbaijan for his leadership as we face an unprecedented challenge.

2. The pandemic has brought to the fore our interconnectedness and interdependence:  we simply cannot fight this adversary alone.

3. Our Movement has demonstrated this by taking the lead in convening the NAM Contact Group and Task Force in response to COVID-19 as early as May 2020, as well as a UNGA Special Session. These provided opportunities to pool our experiences, best practices and resources.

4. As Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conveyed during the NAM Contact Group Summit, and true to our vision of the world as one family, India has been committed to sharing our expertise and resources with the global community throughout this battle, despite our own domestic requirements.

5. I am happy to share in this vein that India’s successful digital platform for COVID-19 vaccinations, CoWin, is now being made open source, so that it will be available for use to all countries.

6. Unfortunately, the pandemic is not the only challenge of our time – terrorism and climate change respect neither physical nor political boundaries. Worse, they have a disproportionate impact on developing countries.

7. How can NAM ensure that it is a relevant and effective stakeholder in navigating these challenges? The answer lies in an approach which is inclusive, transparent and anchored in reformed multilateralism. We need international institutions that are more representative of today’s world, and a new vision of globalization based on fairness, equality and humanity.

8. For its part, India has pioneered such initiatives such the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which aim to protect humanity against climate change and disaster risks.

Excellencies,

9. Terrorism is the most flagrant threat not only to international peace and security but to the very principles and values we hold dear. NAM must be at the vanguard of efforts to strengthen international legal frameworks, without exceptions or double standards, to coherently combat the disruptive activities of terrorists and their enablers -  which have continued unabated and, in fact, only increased during the pandemic.

10. This year we mark 60 years since the first NAM Conference, held in Belgrade in 1961. Over the decades, the founding principles of our Movement have guided us in combatting challenges such as colonialism and apartheid. As we contend with new challenges, it is these very principles of mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation that will guide the way.

11. I would like to reaffirm India’s unwavering commitment to the resolution of the Palestine issue. We strongly support a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel.

12. We welcome the inclusion of a new Observer, the Russian Federation, a demonstration that the spirit of NAM principles continue to resonate in the wider global community.

Excellencies,

13. NAM must never be used as a platform for pursuits aimed at undermining the sovereignty or territorial integrity of a State by another State. Individual members of our movement must introspect before they weaken our Movement by taking up divisive issues or targeting fellow Members, reducing NAM to a forum for venting out on bilateral disputes.

14. Let us work to re-energise and re-invigorate our Movement, forging a positive, constructive and inclusive response to the challenges of our times.

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