In a significant development, Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi will participate in a video conference meeting of non-alignment movement (NAM) on COVID crisis. The meeting that will happen in at around 4.30 pm IST will see External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also present.&nbsp;

This is the first time PM Modi is taking part in a NAM meeting since taking 2014 when he first became the Prime Minister. The last time any Indian PM participated at Tehran NAM meet was 2012 with the then PM Manmohan Singh was present.&nbsp;

Both in 2016, 2018 summits of NAM, India was represented at Vice President level. The last NAM Summit happened in 2019 in Azerbaijan, before that it was 2016 in Venezuela.

Azerbaijan is the president of the grouping from 2019-2022 and the meet is being organised under the leadership of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The title of the summit is "We stand together against COVID-19".&nbsp;

"We hope that the Non-Aligned Movement Contact Group's Summit will make a significant contribution to the mobilization of NAM member states in the fight against coronavirus, strengthening of solidarity and multilateralism," Hikmat Hajiyev, Head of the Department for Foreign Policy Affairs of Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration said as quoted by Azerbaijan State News Agency or azertac.

The meet on COVID comes even as other multilateral groupings like G20, BRICS and regional groupings like SAARC are having video conferences to come out with a coordinated approach on the pandemic. &nbsp;

Non-Aligned Movement is an idea that emerged in 1950 and the initiative was led by the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and Present of erstwhile Yugoslav Josip Broz Tito.&nbsp;

NAM is the second-largest platform globally in terms of country membership after the UN. While it currently has 120 member states, 17 states which are observers in the last few years the grouping has lost the main rationale of the existence of remaining equidistant to 2 powers—US and the Soviet Union, after the disintegration of the latter.

In a significant development, Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi will participate in a video conference meeting of non-alignment movement (NAM) on COVID crisis.

In a significant development, Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi will participate in a video conference meeting of non-alignment movement (NAM) on COVID crisis. The meeting that will happen in at around 4.30 pm IST will see External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also present. This is the first time PM Modi is taking part in a NAM meeting since taking 2014 when he first became the Prime Minister. The last time any Indian PM participated at Tehran NAM meet was 2012 with the then PM Manmohan Singh was present. Both in 2016, 2018 summits of NAM, India was represented at Vice President level. The last NAM Summit happened in 2019 in Azerbaijan, before that it was 2016 in Venezuela. Azerbaijan is the president of the grouping from 2019-2022 and the meet is being organised under the leadership of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The title of the summit is "We stand together against COVID-19". "We hope that the Non-Aligned Movement Contact Group's Summit will make a significant contribution to the mobilization of NAM member states in the fight against coronavirus, strengthening of solidarity and multilateralism," Hikmat Hajiyev, Head of the Department for Foreign Policy Affairs of Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration said as quoted by Azerbaijan State News Agency or azertac. The meet on COVID comes even as other multilateral groupings like G20, BRICS and regional groupings like SAARC are having video conferences to come out with a coordinated approach on the pandemic. Non-Aligned Movement is an idea that emerged in 1950 and the initiative was led by the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and Present of erstwhile Yugoslav Josip Broz Tito. NAM is the second-largest platform globally in terms of country membership after the UN. While it currently has 120 member states, 17 states which are observers in the last few years the grouping has lost the main rationale of the existence of remaining equidistant to 2 powers—US and the Soviet Union, after the disintegration of the latter.

In a first, PM Modi to participate in Non-Aligned Movement meet today

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has raised the issue of cross-border terror and reforms at the United Nations Security Council at the ministerial meet of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meet in Baku, Azerbaijan. &nbsp;

Calling UN reforms as "essential", the EAM said, "early and meaningful reform of the United Nations, and in particular its principal organ of global peace and security, the Security Council."

Jaishankar reiterated India's support for Africa’s Common Position on Security Council Reforms which calls for two permanent seats for Africa at a reformed UNSC.

On terror, New Delhi highlighted the "growing linkages" between terrorist groups and cross-border operations such as "terror financing networks, and the spread of hateful ideologies through modern communication technologies" which Jaishankar said, "have left no country untouched by this scourge."

He said, "the international community cannot afford selective approaches or double standards on this issue" and "our fight against terrorism has to be fought collectively and across all fronts.

He urged, NAM countries to finalise Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations which calls for a common definition of terror. CCIT was proposed by India in 1996 but even after two decades, little progress has been made on it.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will lead the Indian delegation at the 18th Non-Aligned Movement Summit from 25-26 October. The theme for this year's summit is "Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of the contemporary world”.

India is a founding member of the NAM, which is one of the largest gatherings of world leaders. In 2021, the 60th anniversary of the grouping will be celebrated.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has raised the issue of cross-border terror and reforms at the United Nations Security Council at the ministerial meet of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meet in Baku, Azerbaijan.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has raised the issue of cross-border terror and reforms at the United Nations Security Council at the ministerial meet of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meet in Baku, Azerbaijan. Calling UN reforms as "essential", the EAM said, "early and meaningful reform of the United Nations, and in particular its principal organ of global peace and security, the Security Council." Jaishankar reiterated India's support for Africa’s Common Position on Security Council Reforms which calls for two permanent seats for Africa at a reformed UNSC. On terror, New Delhi highlighted the "growing linkages" between terrorist groups and cross-border operations such as "terror financing networks, and the spread of hateful ideologies through modern communication technologies" which Jaishankar said, "have left no country untouched by this scourge." He said, "the international community cannot afford selective approaches or double standards on this issue" and "our fight against terrorism has to be fought collectively and across all fronts. He urged, NAM countries to finalise Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations which calls for a common definition of terror. CCIT was proposed by India in 1996 but even after two decades, little progress has been made on it. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will lead the Indian delegation at the 18th Non-Aligned Movement Summit from 25-26 October. The theme for this year's summit is "Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of the contemporary world”. India is a founding member of the NAM, which is one of the largest gatherings of world leaders. In 2021, the 60th anniversary of the grouping will be celebrated.

At Non-Aligned Movement meet, India raises terror and UN reforms

India has said the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) needs to re-examine and revise its methodology and the grouping needs to undertake a new journey.

India was represented by Indian envoy to United Nations Syed Akbaruddin at the NAM Ministerial Meeting in Caracas, Venezuela.

Speaking at the meet, Akbaruddin said, "Our inertia is considerable... Our methodology of discussion and decision-making needs to be re-examined and revised. Our agenda needs to be progressive and forward-looking."

Explaining, "World is awash with new challenges. However, to effectively make a difference, we, the NAM, need to undertake a new journey."

NAM was established in Belgrade in 1961 and was a joint initiative of former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito.

Climate change, digital technologies and terrorism are three issues raised by India at NAM Meet in Venezuela.&nbsp;

On terror, Akbaruddin said, "All our talk about combating the scourge of terrorism has not been matched by actions" and "our collective response at countering terrorism must transcend from ad hoc and crisis-orientated reaction towards" building "standing structures intended to be durable and insulated from rhetoric."

Reiterating India's stand on Palestine, Akbaruddin said New Delhi's "Support for the cause of Palestine shall continue". This is an important statement given the growing closeness of New Delhi with Israel.&nbsp;

He also slammed Islamabad saying "NAM never was and never can be a platform for pursuits aimed at undermining the territorial integrity of a State by another State."

India has said the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) needs to re-examine and revise its methodology and the grouping needs to undertake a new journey. India was represented by Indian envoy to United Nations Syed Akbaruddin at the NAM Ministerial Meeting in Caracas, Venezuela.

India has said the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) needs to re-examine and revise its methodology and the grouping needs to undertake a new journey. India was represented by Indian envoy to United Nations Syed Akbaruddin at the NAM Ministerial Meeting in Caracas, Venezuela. Speaking at the meet, Akbaruddin said, "Our inertia is considerable... Our methodology of discussion and decision-making needs to be re-examined and revised. Our agenda needs to be progressive and forward-looking." Explaining, "World is awash with new challenges. However, to effectively make a difference, we, the NAM, need to undertake a new journey." NAM was established in Belgrade in 1961 and was a joint initiative of former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito. Climate change, digital technologies and terrorism are three issues raised by India at NAM Meet in Venezuela. On terror, Akbaruddin said, "All our talk about combating the scourge of terrorism has not been matched by actions" and "our collective response at countering terrorism must transcend from ad hoc and crisis-orientated reaction towards" building "standing structures intended to be durable and insulated from rhetoric." Reiterating India's stand on Palestine, Akbaruddin said New Delhi's "Support for the cause of Palestine shall continue". This is an important statement given the growing closeness of New Delhi with Israel. He also slammed Islamabad saying "NAM never was and never can be a platform for pursuits aimed at undermining the territorial integrity of a State by another State."

Non-Aligned Movement needs to undertake a new journey: India

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attended a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Caracas on Saturday (July 20) where he told gathered media that "the government of the United States is isolated." Tensions between Iran and the West ratcheted up on Saturday as Britain denounced the Iranian seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker, rejecting Tehran's explanation that it had seized the vessel on Friday (July 19) because it had been involved in an accident. The event in the global oil trade's most important waterway has been viewed in the West as a major escalation after three months of confrontation that has already taken Iran and the United States to the brink of war. Prior to his travel to Venezuela, Zarif attended a meeting of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York. After Venezuela, he will also travel to Bolivia and Nicaragua. The Non-Aligned Movement is a Cold War-era bloc of some 120 nations that was formed a half-century ago by nations wanting to avoid aligning with the United States or the Soviet Union and which has dwindled in relevance over the years.

"The United States is isolated" - Iran's Zarif at Non-Aligned Movement meeting

With this year marking the completion of 70 years of bilateral relations between India and Indonesia, Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat says "excellent" is the word best suitable to describe ties between the two nations.

Speaking to ANI, Ambassador Rawat said tourism has seen a major hike over the past years, owing to the multitude of measures taken by both governments.

"If I can use one word to describe bilateral relations, it is excellent. The foundation is based on goodwill. We have built on that to develop a gamut of other areas of cooperation. Last year, we commenced an inter-faith dialogue, as India and Indonesia share philosophical similarities," he noted.

Rawat confirmed that a number of bilateral visits are in the pipeline in order to strengthen ties.

"We have not only people to people relationships but also at the top leadership level. As close maritime neighbours, we hope there will be more bilateral visits at various levels, including at the top leadership level."

To commemorate the completion of 70 years of relations, a photo exhibition was inaugurated at the Prambanan temple complex in the city, depicting the journey of India and Indonesia over the last 70 years.

As part of celebrations, Yoga Day will be observed on Sunday and is expected to see the participation of around 1,000 Yog enthusiasts.

Talking about the development of Yoga over the years and its tourism potential, Rawat proposed for India to begin institutionalised training courses with degrees in order to create educational tourism opportunities and provide an overall boost to tourism.

"We can link more scientific principles to Yoga and its benefits for physical and mental health," he added.

"Yoga belongs to the world but has a home - India. Yoga connects India to the world and the world to India. Yoga is one of the most important activities offered by the hospitality industry," said Rawat.

India and Indonesia have shared two millennia of close cultural and commercial contacts.

The shared culture, colonial history and post-independence goals of political sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency and independent foreign policy have a unifying effect on the India-Indonesia relations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

Not only this, former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Indonesian President Sukarno laid the foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at the Asian-African Conference held in Bandung in 1955, cementing the close historical ties shared by the nations.&nbsp;

With this year marking the completion of 70 years of bilateral relations between India and Indonesia, Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat says "excellent" is the word best suitable to describe ties between the two nations.

With this year marking the completion of 70 years of bilateral relations between India and Indonesia, Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat says "excellent" is the word best suitable to describe ties between the two nations. Speaking to ANI, Ambassador Rawat said tourism has seen a major hike over the past years, owing to the multitude of measures taken by both governments. "If I can use one word to describe bilateral relations, it is excellent. The foundation is based on goodwill. We have built on that to develop a gamut of other areas of cooperation. Last year, we commenced an inter-faith dialogue, as India and Indonesia share philosophical similarities," he noted. Rawat confirmed that a number of bilateral visits are in the pipeline in order to strengthen ties. "We have not only people to people relationships but also at the top leadership level. As close maritime neighbours, we hope there will be more bilateral visits at various levels, including at the top leadership level." To commemorate the completion of 70 years of relations, a photo exhibition was inaugurated at the Prambanan temple complex in the city, depicting the journey of India and Indonesia over the last 70 years. As part of celebrations, Yoga Day will be observed on Sunday and is expected to see the participation of around 1,000 Yog enthusiasts. Talking about the development of Yoga over the years and its tourism potential, Rawat proposed for India to begin institutionalised training courses with degrees in order to create educational tourism opportunities and provide an overall boost to tourism. "We can link more scientific principles to Yoga and its benefits for physical and mental health," he added. "Yoga belongs to the world but has a home - India. Yoga connects India to the world and the world to India. Yoga is one of the most important activities offered by the hospitality industry," said Rawat. India and Indonesia have shared two millennia of close cultural and commercial contacts. The shared culture, colonial history and post-independence goals of political sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency and independent foreign policy have a unifying effect on the India-Indonesia relations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Not only this, former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Indonesian President Sukarno laid the foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at the Asian-African Conference held in Bandung in 1955, cementing the close historical ties shared by the nations.

Indian envoy hails 'excellent' relations with Indonesia on completion of 70 years of bilateral ties

The Modi government has attracted the considerable attention in the global affairs. There is an increasing global recognition of India&rsquo;s assertive role in the international affairs.

&nbsp;

PM Modi&rsquo;s policy broadly operates within the foundational structure and principles of non-alignment; albeit in more realist manner and has been successful in protecting and securing India&rsquo;s interest first. This policy is most visible and evident in the region of West Asia, particularly in relations with GCC, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

&nbsp;

PM Modi will be on 4 days, 3 nation tour from 9th to 12th February to Palestine, Oman and UAE during which he will hold talks with the leadership in these countries on &quot;matters of mutual interest.&rdquo; This visit to Palestine also comes after Modi hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on six-day visit to India between 14-19 January as the two countries marked the completion of 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

&nbsp;

PM Modi&rsquo;s visit is significant as he is the first Prime Minister to visit Palestine which has dispelled the considerable perception at the global and domestic level that India is ignoring the legitimate cause of Palestinian nationhood at the behest of Israel and Israeli lobby at the USA. In this context, it may be noted that India under the leadership of Modi has opposed the Trump&rsquo;s administration declaration of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

&nbsp;

PM Modi will be visiting Ramallah alone and not Israel, like the way he did last year when he visited only Tel Aviv, not Ramallah. As a visit to both these places is considered a customary stop for world leaders. In the past, President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had done so.

&nbsp;

PM Modi is wedded to the doctrine of realism and he recognises the fundamental change that has taken place in the structure of International Relations in post-Soviet era. This demands that India must pursue a pragmatic foreign policy with centers of global powers.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Since 1991 all prime ministers have diluted the ideological component of nonalignment and brought necessary pragmatism in its foreign policy by cultivating a strong relationship with all major powers of the world, such as Western European countries, USA, Israel, Japan, Australia, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran. In his upcoming visit, PM Modi will attend the World Government Summit in the UAE where he has been accorded &ldquo;guest of honour&rdquo; status. This is his second visit to the Emirates. PM Modi had previously visited the UAE in August 2015. Also, he will be visiting Oman, to strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as trade and defence.

&nbsp;

The same trend has been pursued more rigorously under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi.

&nbsp;

However, contrary to the critical perception, PM Modi has paid more attention in cultivating good relationships with the countries of West Asia than other regions and countries of the world. This can be seen from a number of visits that PM Modi has made to countries of West Asia particularly UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel as well as making the crown prince of Abu Dhabi as a republic day guest in 2017.

&nbsp;

The underlying reasons behind PM Modi intensive policy in West Asia are the following:

&nbsp;

1) India has a strong diasporic presence in this world, with the largest concentration in the Gulf countries.

&nbsp;

The region contributes largest remittance which is critical for the stability of India&rsquo;s economy. Seven million Indians live and work in the Arab region and sends back remittances between $35 and $4o billion annually.

&nbsp;

2) India needs to acquire an uninterrupted supply of gas and oil and store at a time when the global price of oil and gas is very low

&nbsp;

3) The region has a huge basket of sovereign wealth and they are looking towards India as a major destination country for their investment.

&nbsp;

4) The region is a critical source of support to Pakistan. PM Modi has successfully exposed the terror face of Pakistan and has isolated it in the region.

&nbsp;

However, at the same time, the Indian government is keenly aware of the Arab sensitivity on the question of Palestine and, therefore, he is successful in maintaining a diplomatic balance between Israel and Palestine. To conclude, Indian foreign policy has become more realistic, pragmatic in orientation and less concerned about ideological and symbolic actions.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Indian government is keenly aware of the Arab sensitivity on the question of Palestine and, therefore, Narendra Modi is successful in maintaining a diplomatic balance between Israel and Palestine.

The Modi government has attracted the considerable attention in the global affairs. There is an increasing global recognition of India’s assertive role in the international affairs. PM Modi’s policy broadly operates within the foundational structure and principles of non-alignment; albeit in more realist manner and has been successful in protecting and securing India’s interest first. This policy is most visible and evident in the region of West Asia, particularly in relations with GCC, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel. PM Modi will be on 4 days, 3 nation tour from 9th to 12th February to Palestine, Oman and UAE during which he will hold talks with the leadership in these countries on "matters of mutual interest.” This visit to Palestine also comes after Modi hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on six-day visit to India between 14-19 January as the two countries marked the completion of 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations. PM Modi’s visit is significant as he is the first Prime Minister to visit Palestine which has dispelled the considerable perception at the global and domestic level that India is ignoring the legitimate cause of Palestinian nationhood at the behest of Israel and Israeli lobby at the USA. In this context, it may be noted that India under the leadership of Modi has opposed the Trump’s administration declaration of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. PM Modi will be visiting Ramallah alone and not Israel, like the way he did last year when he visited only Tel Aviv, not Ramallah. As a visit to both these places is considered a customary stop for world leaders. In the past, President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had done so. PM Modi is wedded to the doctrine of realism and he recognises the fundamental change that has taken place in the structure of International Relations in post-Soviet era. This demands that India must pursue a pragmatic foreign policy with centers of global powers. Since 1991 all prime ministers have diluted the ideological component of nonalignment and brought necessary pragmatism in its foreign policy by cultivating a strong relationship with all major powers of the world, such as Western European countries, USA, Israel, Japan, Australia, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran. In his upcoming visit, PM Modi will attend the World Government Summit in the UAE where he has been accorded “guest of honour” status. This is his second visit to the Emirates. PM Modi had previously visited the UAE in August 2015. Also, he will be visiting Oman, to strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as trade and defence. The same trend has been pursued more rigorously under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi. However, contrary to the critical perception, PM Modi has paid more attention in cultivating good relationships with the countries of West Asia than other regions and countries of the world. This can be seen from a number of visits that PM Modi has made to countries of West Asia particularly UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel as well as making the crown prince of Abu Dhabi as a republic day guest in 2017. The underlying reasons behind PM Modi intensive policy in West Asia are the following: 1) India has a strong diasporic presence in this world, with the largest concentration in the Gulf countries. The region contributes largest remittance which is critical for the stability of India’s economy. Seven million Indians live and work in the Arab region and sends back remittances between $35 and $4o billion annually. 2) India needs to acquire an uninterrupted supply of gas and oil and store at a time when the global price of oil and gas is very low 3) The region has a huge basket of sovereign wealth and they are looking towards India as a major destination country for their investment. 4) The region is a critical source of support to Pakistan. PM Modi has successfully exposed the terror face of Pakistan and has isolated it in the region. However, at the same time, the Indian government is keenly aware of the Arab sensitivity on the question of Palestine and, therefore, he is successful in maintaining a diplomatic balance between Israel and Palestine. To conclude, Indian foreign policy has become more realistic, pragmatic in orientation and less concerned about ideological and symbolic actions. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: PM Modi's visit to Palestine will be a step in right direction. This is why.

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