Kampala: External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr. S. Jaishankar is in Kampala to represent India at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

EAM Jaishankar arrived in Kampala on January 18 to represent India at the 19th NAM Summit.

After reaching Kampala, EAM Jaishankar said that he is looking forward to engaging colleagues over the coming two days.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar led the Indian delegation at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) which held in Kampala, Uganda on 19-20 January 2024.

On the sidelines of the NAM Summit, EAM met with the Ugandan leadership and counterparts from NAM Member states.

EAM Jaishankar met with Foreign Minister of Maldives on January 18 and discussed India-Maldives bilateral ties. Both leaders also discussed NAM related issues.

"Met Maldives FM @MoosaZameer today in Kampala. A frank conversation on 🇮🇳-🇲🇻 ties. Also discussed NAM related issues", EAM Jaishankar wrote on X on January 18.

Posting on X Foreign Minister of Maldives wrote:

"It was a pleasure to meet with the External Affairs Minister of #India @DrSJaishankar in the margins of #NAMSummitUg2024.We exchanged views on the ongoing high-level discussions on the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, as well as expediting the completion of ongoing development projects in the #Maldives, and cooperation within SAARC and NAM.We are committed to further strengthening and expanding our cooperation."

It was a pleasure to meet with the External Affairs Minister of #India @DrSJaishankar in the margins of #NAMSummitUg2024.

We exchanged views on the ongoing high-level discussions on the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, as well as expediting the completion of ongoing… pic.twitter.com/viw3fnppY7
— Moosa Zameer (@MoosaZameer) January 18, 2024

Last month the deputy minister of Maldives had made racist remarks against India and mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attempt to promote Lakshadweep as a tourist destination.

Maldivian government had issued a statement distancing itself from the derogatory remarks made by the leaders and had suspended ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid after India's strong protest.

While the President of Maldives has recently asked India to withdraw its personnel from his by March 15.

On the sidelines of NAM Summit, EAM met his Angolan counterpart.

"Good meeting with Angolan FM @amb_tete. Discussed the expanding 🇮🇳-🇦🇴 and India-Africa cooperation. Also spoke about cooperation in multilateral fora. Thanked him for extending visa-free arrangement for Indian nationals, EAM posted on X.

Good meeting with Angolan FM @amb_tete.

Discussed the expanding 🇮🇳-🇦🇴 and India-Africa cooperation. Also spoke about cooperation in multilateral fora.

Thanked him for extending visa-free arrangement for Indian nationals. pic.twitter.com/emrw4TN0lO
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 18, 2024

EAM S. Jaishankar and his Counterpart from Belarus Sergei Aleinik discussed developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict.

EAM Jaishankar wrote on X:

"A useful meeting with Belarusian FM Sergei Aleinik. Exchanged views on 🇮🇳-🇧🇾 cooperation in various fields. Also discussed developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict."

A useful meeting with Belarusian FM Sergei Aleinik.

Exchanged views on 🇮🇳-🇧🇾 cooperation in various fields. Also discussed developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict. pic.twitter.com/SyIYrLSk19
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 18, 2024

EAM Jaishankar met with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on January 18.

EAM appreciated his assessment and insights on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

They also noted the continued progress of our bilateral cooperation following the exchange of visits of both countries' leaders in 2023.

On January 19, EAM Jaishankar held a meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil. They discussed economic, energy and development cooperation. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues.

EAM Jaishankar met with the outgoing NAM Chair Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on January 19.

Both leaders discussed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on regional matters.

Mr. Jaishankar also met with Foreign Minister from Bolivia Celinda Sosa Lunda and discussed development cooperation, traditional medicine and sustainable lifestyle.

EAM Jaishankar met with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic and Bahraini counterpart Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and discussed ongoing developments in the region and time tested bilateral partnership.

They also exchanged assessments on respective regions.

Delivering India's statement at the 19th NAM Summit in Kampala on January 19, EAM Jaishankar highlighted the challenges of Covid, conflict, climate change, debt and inflation.

He also emphasized the need for NAM to challenge concentrations that undermine our economic security and argued for creating regional economic hubs and resilient supply chains.

EAM also spoke about India as Vishwa Mitra.

600 projects across 78 nations, Vaccine Maitri and First Responder actions are proof, EAM Jaishankar said.

On Gaza, EAM stressed that the humanitarian crisis requires a sustainable solution that gives immediate relief. EAM Jaishankar said that the terrorism and hostage taking are unacceptable.

EAM also said that the conflict must not spread and NAM should seek a two-state solution.

EAM also shared collaborate and reinforce each other, the more NAM will change the world.

On January 20, EAM Jaishankar began the day with the meeting with Foreign Minister of Uganda Odongo Jeje and thanked him for the excellent arrangements for the NAM Summit.

Mr. Jaishankar also assured him India's wholehearted support for Uganda's Chairship.

EAM discussed the progress in bilateral cooperation between two countries since his April 2023 visit to Uganda.

Their conversation was on the direct flights, training & exchanges and commencement of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) campus developments.

On the sidelines of NAM Summit in Kampala, EAM Jaishankar called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on January 20.

EAM Jaishankar appreciated his continued guidance for the advancement of India and Sri Lanka bilateral initiatives.

"India's commitment is reflected in our Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policy", EAM Jaishankar said.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met with the Secretary for the Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique A. Manalo and assessed favorably developments in our trade, investment and security partnership. They also discussed matters pertaining to security, stability and rule of law in the Indo-Pacific.

Posted on X, EAM Jaishankar wrote:

"Great to meet @SecManalo of Philippines. Assessed favorably developments in our trade, investment and security partnership. Discussed matters pertaining to security, stability and rule of law in the Indo-Pacific."

Great to meet @SecManalo of Philippines.

Assessed favorably developments in our trade, investment and security partnership. Discussed matters pertaining to security, stability and rule of law in the Indo-Pacific. pic.twitter.com/hfJ3jAvZ5O
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2024

EAM Jaishankar met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Riyad al-Maliki in Kampala on January 20.

They held detailed and comprehensive discussion on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Both leaders also exchanged views on its humanitarian and political dimensions.

Mr. Jaishankar also reiterated India's support for a two-state solution.

Foreign Ministers of India and Palestine agreed to remain in touch.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar met with the new Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammed Hasan Mahmud in Kampala on January 20.

EAM also congratulated him on his appointment and wished him all success.

EAM Jaishankar further said that India-Bangladesh relations are growing from strength to strength.

EAM Jaishankar also said that he is looking forward to receiving him in Delhi soon.

EAM Jaishankar held a useful conversation with the Vice President of Iran Mohammad Mokhber on January 20 in Kampala.

They also spoke about India and Iran bilateral ties as well as recent regional developments. Both leaders agreed on further exchanges to take forward bilateral agenda of cooperation.

EAM Jaishankar met with the Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva Duran on the sidelines of the NAM Summit on January 20 and discussed global issues and bilateral ties of two countries.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also met with the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres on January 20.

They discussed Agenda 2030, UN reforms, the West Asia situation, maritime security and the Ukraine conflict.

Posting on X, EAM Jaishankar wrote:

"A pleasure as always to meet with @UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres. Discussed Agenda 2030, UN reforms, the West Asia situation, maritime security and the Ukraine conflict."

A pleasure as always to meet with @UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres.

Discussed Agenda 2030, UN reforms, the West Asia situation, maritime security and the Ukraine conflict. pic.twitter.com/vBjLxl4DQR
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2024

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan will represent India at the G-77 Third South Summit which will be held in Kampala on 21-22 January 2024.

"The 19th NAM Summit under the leadership of Uganda is being held under the theme ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence’ and brings together more than 120 developing countries on a platform of crucial historic significance. India wholeheartedly supports Uganda’s theme for NAM and looks forward to engaging with NAM under Uganda’s leadership. As one of the leading and founding members of NAM, India remains committed to the principles and values of the movement", the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said on January 18 in its statement.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar will travel to Nigeria on an official visit from 21-23 January 2024.

EAM will co-chair the 6th India-Nigeria Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with his counterpart and meet with other leaders. EAM will also inaugurate the 3rd edition of Nigeria-India Business Council meeting, deliver a speech at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, interact with CII Business delegates and inaugurate the bust of Mahatma Gandhi.

He will also chair the regional conference of Indian Heads of Missions. India and Nigeria have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations.

This is EAM Jaishankar's first visit to Nigeria which will further consolidate bilateral relations between the two countries.

Author: Shahid Anwar

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