In a diplomatic flurry at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala, Uganda, Bharat’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, met with several leaders, including Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The meeting emphasized the continued guidance provided by President Wickremesinghe for advancing bilateral initiatives between India and Sri Lanka. Jaishankar expressed India’s commitment to its Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy.
As part of the ongoing NAM summit, Jaishankar engaged in bilateral meetings with counterparts from Bolivia, Azerbaijan, and Venezuela. These meetings involved discussions on regional and global issues, as well as the strengthening of bilateral relations. A notable meeting took place with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, where ongoing developments in the region were a key focus.
Jaishankar took to social media to share insights from his meetings, highlighting discussions with Venezuelan Foreign Minister @yvangil on economic, energy, and development cooperation. A sit-down with Azerbaijan’s counterpart centered on bilateral relations and regional matters, while talks with Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa Lunda revolved around cooperation in development and traditional medicine.
The External Affairs Minister also met with Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer in Kampala, exchanging views on the withdrawal of Indian military personnel and expediting ongoing development projects in the Maldives. Discussions also encompassed cooperation within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and NAM.
Notably, Jaishankar met Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio, discussing the expanding collaboration between India and Angola, as well as broader Bharat-Africa cooperation. Expressing gratitude, Jaishankar thanked Minister Antonio for extending a visa-free arrangement for Indian nationals.
The 19th NAM Summit, themed ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,’ has attracted delegates from over 120 developing countries. Bharat, as a leading and founding member of NAM, fully supports Uganda’s theme and aims to engage with fellow bloc countries. The summit serves as a platform for crucial discussions on historic and significant issues, reinforcing the principles and values of the Non-Aligned Movement.
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