By IANS,
Sharm el-Sheikh/New Delhi : Underlining its commitment to renewing the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), India Monday asked the NAM countries to “unequivocally condemn” terrorism and called for greater solidarity among developing countries to counter the global financial meltdown.
“Nowhere is international solidarity for peace and development more relevant than in combating terrorism. Terrorism threatens democracy and democratic values,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said at the two-day meeting of NAM foreign ministers that began in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh Monday.
“International solidarity and solidarity within NAM are necessary in order to combat this scourge effectively,” Krishna said ahead of the 15th NAM summit Wednesday, which will be attended by leaders of over 110 countries.
“We call upon NAM members to unequivocally condemn terrorism; no cause or reasoning can be used to justify such acts. In this context, the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on Terrorism being discussed in the United Nations is an immediate imperative,” he said.
Krishna’s exhortation to NAM also comes days before the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Reza Gilani on the sidelines of the NAM summit Wednesday.
The meeting between Manmohan Singh and Gilani will focus on action taken by Pakistan to address India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism. Their meeting will be preceded by a meeting between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan in Sharm el-Sheikh that will review action taken by Islamabad against the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage.
Krishna also underlined India’s commitment to the ideals of non-aligned movement. “India’s commitment and solidarity with NAM is firm and abiding. We look forward to the summit outcome at Sharm el-Sheikh,” he said.
In a statement before he left for France and Egypt Monday, Manmohan Singh underscored the relevance of non-alignment in the post Cold War era and said India will play its part in strengthening the NAM.
“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,” Manmohan Singh said.
“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,” he said.
“India will play its part in helping NAM to regain its moral high ground to address issues which are of direct concern and relevance to developing countries such as sustainable development, climate change, food security, energy security, terrorism and reform of the architecture of international governance,” said Manmohan Singh.
Krishna also called for greater cooperation among NAM and developing countries to tackle the global financial meltdown and called for the reform of global financial institutions.
“The world is facing a crisis which affects the developing countries asymmetrically. We need to harness our collective energies to counter the crisis. South-South Cooperation is extremely important at this hour,” he said.
“We need a collective approach within the context of South-South Cooperation. India stands ready to contribute strengthening such cooperation,” he added.