Naidu hits out at Pakistan for misusing NAM forum

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu on October 25, 2019, hit out at Pakistan for misusing the NAM summit “to justify its longstanding policy of conducting cross-border terrorism” against its neighbours. In his address at the 18th NAM Summit at Baku, Azerbaijan, Naidu regretted that Pakistan President had misused the august forum and said “Indeed, we speak for the larger region in terms of this deep concern over Pakistan’s behaviour”.

Stressing that Pakistan clearly needed to do much more to earn the confidence of the international community, Naidu said, “It must decisively abjure terrorism—for its own good, for that of its neighbours and for the good of the world.” Naidu also called for achieving a 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.

Naidu 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. He called upon all NAM countries to come together to forge a common front against terror in all its forms as there was no justification for violent extremist ideologies and terrorist actions that maim and murder innocents, according to a PIB release.

Pointing out that contemporary threats respect no borders, whether it is terrorism, climate change, pandemics, financial crisis or cyber security, he said that terrorism was the single most destructive threat, not only to international peace and security but to the very principles we are discussing today. “Their capacity to inflict damage has multiplied with the diffusion of information technology, giving terrorist organisations offensive cyber capabilities,”Naidu added.

Calling for strengthening all international laws and mechanisms to combat terrorists and their enablers, Naidu said the 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.

Addressing the Historic NAM Summit at Baku, Azerbaijan, Naidu said that the interdependent world today was faced with serious challenges. “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 realise that our destinies are linked like never before,” he added.

Assuring its continued support to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), India has asked the six decades old movement to reorient its focus to remain relevant in the context of the challenges of the modern world. The theme of the Summit is ‘Upholding Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of the contemporary world’ .

Observing that NAM need not position itself for or against any ideology or groups of nations, the Vice President said, “It is important that we do not waste our energies on issues that cause dissonance among us.”. Naidu urged NAM to select cross-sectoral challenges and work together to present solutions on issues such as terrorism, global governance reforms, sustainable development and South-South cooperation.

Highlighting India’s development agenda,“through everyone’s support, for everyone’s development and towards everyone’s trust”, Naidu said that India, as always, stands ready to play its part and mentioned how India was partnering with other developing countries in capacity building, implementing development projects and providing humanitarian relief.