New Delhi (NVI): Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who is representing India at the ongoing Non-Aligned Movement Summit (NAM) in Baku, on October 25 hit out at Pakistan for misusing the NAM forum “to justify its longstanding policy of conducting cross-border terrorism” against its neighbours.
“Pakistan President had misused the august forum,” Naidu said adding, “Indeed, we speak for the larger region in terms of this deep concern over Pakistan’s behaviour.”
Speaking at the 18th NAM Summit here in Azerbaijan, Naidu stressed that Pakistan clearly needed to do much more to earn the confidence of the international community. “It must decisively abjure terrorism—for its own good, for that of its neighbours and for the good of the world,” he added.
“NAM partners should forge a common front by stepping up inter-agency coordination, exchanging information and strengthening the existing legal framework by endorsing the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), proposed by India in 1996,” Naidu said strengthening all international laws and mechanisms to combat terrorists and their enablers.
He also called for achieving just equitable and representative global governance system by reforming the United Nations, including the Security Council to reflect the contemporary realities of the 21st century, said an official statement.
He has urged the Non Aligned Movement to re-focus to remain an influential grouping and find solutions to challenges relating to terrorism, global governance reform, sustainable development and South-South cooperation.
“Globalisation and unprecedented technological advances are shaping the 21st century in unpredictable and often disruptive ways. As we all strive to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth and a better future for our peoples, we must realize that our destinies are linked like never before,” he added.
India’s views on the role of the NAM in the present times was today articulated by Naidu at the Summit with the theme of ‘Upholding Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of the contemporary world’.
“We must urgently find solutions to the development challenges of bringing health, education, clean energy and jobs to our people, amid a global economy being rapidly transformed by advances in technology. These common goals can be achieved through a global governance system that is just, equitable and representative and a reformed United Nations,” he said.
Observing that NAM need not position itself for or against any ideology or groups of nations, he said “It is important that we do not waste our energies on issues that cause dissonance among us. The strength of ‘unity in diversity’ by pursuing a focused, positive, long-term agenda.”
Highlighting India’s development agenda, he said, “Through everyone’s support, for everyone’s development and towards everyone’s trust, India always ready to play its part.”
“India also took a major initiative in establishing the International Solar Alliance to give a boost to renewable energy generation and in setting up the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure,” he added.
He expressed confidence that NAM grouping with its similar experiences and shared aspirations can certainly be a major force that can shape global responses to challenges as was done in the past.
Stating that India’s vision is one of collaborative endeavour for the common good of humanity, Naidu said, “Let’s make our Movement (NAM) align with the overarching objective of improving the quality of life of our peoples. Let us be aligned with the forces of peace and development. This is the message that I bring to NAM on behalf of 1.3 Billion Indians. ”
“India wishes to pursue a positive and forward-looking agenda to ensure a prosperous and secure future for all of us. “We are confident that NAM can play an important role in achieving these shared objectives,” he added.
Meanwhile, he also interacted with the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, his Vietnamese counterpart, Ms Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and the President of Cuba, Mr. Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
–PS
