India to Participate in NAM Ministerial in Kampala on 15th–16th October

India to Participate in NAM Ministerial in Kampala on 15–16 October

Introduction

India will participate in the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) scheduled to be held in Kampala, Uganda, on 15–16 October 2025. The Indian delegation will be led by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs. The participation reaffirms India’s enduring commitment to the principles of NAM and its historical role in championing the cause of developing nations within the global governance framework.

I. Background and Context

1. About NAM
   • The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was formally established in 1961 at the Belgrade Conference, drawing inspiration from the Bandung Principles of 1955.
   • It represents a coalition of 121 developing countries that seek to maintain independence from major power blocs while promoting peace, equality, and multilateral cooperation.
   • India, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, was among the founding members and architects of NAM, alongside leaders such as Josip Broz Tito, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Sukarno.
2. Uganda’s Chairmanship (2024–2026)
   • Uganda currently holds the Chairmanship of NAM, a position it assumed in January 2024.
   • The theme for the 2025 Ministerial—“Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence”—reflects the grouping’s renewed focus on equitable growth, South–South cooperation, and resilience-building in the face of global economic and geopolitical challenges.

II. India’s Participation and Objectives

1. Leadership Role
   • Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh will represent India at the Ministerial and participate in bilateral meetings with leaders from NAM member states and the Ugandan leadership.
   • The Indian delegation’s participation underscores New Delhi’s strategic engagement with Africa, particularly East Africa, where Uganda remains a key development and diplomatic partner.
2. Key Areas of Discussion
   • Global South Solidarity: Strengthening collective bargaining power of developing nations in global forums such as the UN, WTO, and COP summits.
   • Reforming Multilateral Institutions: Advocating for a restructured global order that better represents the voices of the Global South.
   • Sustainable Development: Cooperation in renewable energy, food security, climate adaptation, and digital inclusion.
   • Peace and Security: Addressing conflicts, terrorism, and disruptions to international trade routes in the Global South.
3. India’s Diplomatic Agenda
   • Reinforce India’s image as a responsible voice of the Global South.
   • Highlight initiatives such as the Voice of Global South Summit, International Solar Alliance, and Global Biofuels Alliance as examples of India’s leadership in inclusive multilateralism.
   • Promote cooperation in capacity building, digital public infrastructure, and development partnerships under India’s South–South cooperation framework.

III. Significance for India

1. Historical Continuity
   India’s active role in NAM reflects continuity in its foreign policy tradition of strategic autonomy—a principle that remains relevant amid renewed great power rivalry and global fragmentation.
2. Platform for the Global South
   NAM provides India with a platform to advance the concerns of developing nations, particularly regarding climate finance, debt relief, equitable vaccine access, and global trade reforms.
3. Africa Engagement
   Participation at Kampala underscores India’s deepening partnership with African nations, aligned with the vision of the India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) and the Vision 2047 developmental framework.
4. Strategic Relevance
   In an era of shifting alliances, NAM remains a moral and diplomatic anchor for India’s independent foreign policy. It complements India’s participation in other multilateral forums such as G20, BRICS, SCO, and the UN, enabling India to balance its global outreach with its traditional commitment to the Global South.

IV. Analytical Perspective

The 19th NAM Ministerial in Kampala is a timely platform for India to reaffirm its commitment to multilateralism and equitable global development. In an increasingly polarized international environment, NAM’s relevance lies in offering a neutral yet collective voice to developing nations.India’s participation is both symbolic and strategic—symbolic in recalling its foundational role in the movement, and strategic in leveraging NAM to strengthen partnerships across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. By positioning itself as a bridge between developed and developing worlds, India seeks to transform NAM from a historical forum into a contemporary instrument of collective action.

Conclusion

India’s engagement in the NAM Ministerial in Kampala reinforces its commitment to inclusive global governance and South–South cooperation. As a founding member, India continues to uphold the values of peace, sovereignty, and mutual respect that defined the movement’s origins.At a time when global inequalities and geopolitical tensions persist, NAM remains a relevant forum for advancing India’s vision of a multipolar, balanced, and just international order, rooted in cooperation rather than confrontation.

Updated -  October 13, 2025 1:20 PM | News On Air