The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan has reached tonight on a four day visit to attend 16th NAM Summit inTehran. He was accorded a warm reception at the Mehrabad air port. Earlier in his departure statement he said Non Alligned Movement NAM should help in tackling key political and economic challenges, including worsening situation in Syria and a persistent global economic slowdown.
Dr.Singh lamented the outdated structures of global governance have not been able to keep pace with contemporary political and economic challenges. The Prime Minister's remarks come in the backdrop of questions being raised over the relevance of 120-nation NAM.
Dr. Singh said that NAM presents tremendous potential for collaboration and cooperation among the member nations to resolve shared developmental challenges. He asserted that the movement must catalyze such opportunities for mutual benefits and renewed India's commitment to contribute in these endeavors of south-south cooperation.
The Prime Minister said he will hold bilateral meetings with the Iranian leadership and other leaders of NAM countries participating in the summit. Dr.Singh said that he is looking forward to opportunity to review bilateral relations with these countries and exchange views on regional and global issues.
AIR Correspondent covering the summit reports from Tehran that Dr. Singh's bilateral meetings with Khamenei and Ahmadinejad assume significance as they will take place at a time when the US is pushing India to reduce engagement with Iran and implement sanctions imposed by some countries over its controversial nuclear programme. India being a founding member of NAM, the member countries are looking forward to its guidance and support .
Ahead of the summit, the Prime Minister has a busy schedule in Teheran on Wednesday. He will be meeting Iran President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and the Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamnei. Another important likely meeting of the Prime Minister on the sidelines of NAM Summit is with the Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari. He will also be meeting the Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi.
This will be the first meeting of the Prime Minister with the Egyptian President after he assumed power. In the run up to the summit, the Foreign Minister's from the 120 member bloc of nations began discussions on the theme Lasting peace through Joint Global Governance.
The talks focussed on the role of non aligned movement in promoting global peace and development. Indian delegation is led by the External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna.The foreign ministers of 120 member bloc of nations have adopted the draft document to be considered by the Heads of States during the summit on August 30-31.
The document reflects the NAM stand on a host of issues such as Syria, Palestine, Human rights, UN reforms, food and energy security ,sustainable development and south -south co-operations among others.
