New Delhi, July 13: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asserted that the Non-Aligned Movement has a renewed role to play in the emerging world order and India will play its part in helping the NAM to regain its moral high grounds to address the issues of direct concern and relevance to the developing countries.
Embarking on a two-nation tour of France and Egypt to attend the France National Day function and the NAM Summit in Egypt, the Prime Minister said India would raise issues concerning developing countries such as sustainable development, climate change, food security, energy security, terrorism and reform of the architecture of international governance.
”Non-Alignment has been the bedrock of India’s foreign policy since it was enunciated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Non-Alignment remains an article of faith for us. In the post-Cold War era, when the world is no longer divided into two military blocs, the Non-Aligned Movement has a renewed role to play in the emerging world order,” Dr Singh said in his departure statement.
Fresh from a successful articulation of India’s and other developing countries concerns at the G8-G5 Summit at L’AQuila, Italy last week, Dr Singh said the diversity and universality of the Non-Aligned Movement offered it a unique opportunity to address the challenges of today.
Describing the invitation by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to attend Bastille Day celebrations as the Chief Guest on July 14 as an ”honour for the people of India”, the Prime Minister said both countries have enjoyed a close and wide-ranging strategic partnership.
”Our relations with France encompass a large number of areas, and have served our national interests well. We would like to build upon our partnership in the areas of trade and investment, high technology, space, nuclear energy, defence, education, culture, tourism and scientific research and development,” he said.
Dr Singh will leave Paris the same evening for Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to participate in the 15th NAM Summit which will be held under the Chairmanship of President Hosni Mubarak.
He said he was looking forward to holding bilateral meetings with other leaders, including those from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
–Agencies