The Foreign Secretaries of 120 member Non Aligned Movement will meet in Tehran today to prepare the roadmap for the 16th NAM Summit to be held on August 30 and 31st. India will be represented by Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai. The senior officials will prepare the ground for the NAM stand on several international issues and to promote multi lateral cooperation.

The meeting is significant in the wake of sanctions on Iran by western nations. The developments in Syria, Palestine, pending reforms at the United Nations and promoting south-south cooperation are among the issues high on the agenda.

The meeting will be followed by the Foreign Ministers meeting on August 28 and 29th and the NAM summit. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and Cuban President Raul Castro are among the top leaders who would be attending the summit.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will also attend the Summit despite protests from the United States and Israel.

Prime Minister will meet the Supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the sidelines of the summit. Dr. Manmohan Singh will also meet a host of leaders from other countries including Pakistan.

Ahead of the NAM Summit, India, Iran and Afghanistan will hold a strategic trilateral meet today in Tehran.AIR
correspondent reports that key issues including regional security and economic situation and best utilisation of Chabahar Port, a significant commercial venture, will be discussed.