600 projects in 78 nations: At NAM Summit, EAM Jaishankar highlights India’s role as ‘Vishwa Mitra’, a friend of the world
| 2024-01-20
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addresses the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Kampala, Uganda on January 19, 2024.
Each one of these projects respects the choice of India’s partners, says EAM Jaishankar
Highlighting India’s position as ‘Vishwa Mitra’, or friend of the world, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that India will always be there, to share.
“India demonstrates this commitment through 600 significant projects in 78 nations. And each one of them respects the choice of our partners. Insofar as Africa is concerned, 300 projects and 45,000 training slots are an expression of our solidarity,” he said as he delivered India’s national statement at the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Kampala, Uganda on Friday (January 19, 2024).
Need for Reformed Multilateralism
EAM Jaishankar also used the opportunity to call for “reformed multilateralism”. Pointing out that “the world has changed profoundly” since the NAM met in Baku in 2019, he referred to the Covid-19 pandemic “whose scars will take generations to heal”, conflicts “whose repercussions are felt far and wide” and disruptions due to climate change.
“The triad of debt, inflation, and growth challenges also weigh heavily on the developing” he remarked.
Referring to the current nature of the world, EAM Jaishankar spoke of the struggle with new forms of inequality and domination. “In the era of globalisation, we see economic concentrations that treat the rest of the world as simply markets or resources. Our smallest need is often manufactured furthest away. The anxieties of the Covid experience brought this home sharply. We are also subject to narratives of political correctness and universalism that do not give their due to our culture and traditions,” he stated.
“As the NAM, we must respond to these challenges. A multipolar world with a reformed United Nations at its core is key. Economic decentralisation with greater regional production is so as well,” EAM Jaishankar said.
“But we must also press for cultural rebalancing where all heritage is mutually respected. By spearheading the African Union’s membership, India showed during its G20 Presidency that change is possible. This should inspire reformed multilateralism,” he stated.
Two-state solution for Palestine
Highlighting that growth and progress are based on peace and stability, he said conflict anywhere had consequences everywhere in a globalised existence. “We saw that in regard to Ukraine when it came to our fuel, food and fertiliser supplies,” he pointed out.
EAM Jaishankar also reflected on the conflict in Gaza, saying, this was “understandably uppermost in our minds”. According to him, this humanitarian crisis requires a sustainable solution that gives immediate relief to those most affected.
“We must also be clear that terrorism and hostage taking are unacceptable. At the same time, international humanitarian law must always be respected by all States. It is also imperative that conflict does not spread within or beyond the region,” EAM Jaishankar explained.
“But in the final analysis, we must seek a two-state solution where the Palestinian people can live within secure borders. Our collective endeavours should focus on making this realisable,” he asserted.
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