Kiren Rijiju: Since establishment of Non Aligned Movement, Serbia and India have had friendly relations

Photo: Tanjug/Dejan Zivancevic

India's Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijijuu said today, during a plenary session of the meeting dedicated to marking the 65th anniversary of the first conference of the Non Aligned Movement in Belgrade, that India and Serbia have had friendly and close relations since the early days of the Non Aligned Movement.

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He recalled that for India, as one of the founders of the Non Aligned Movement, this conference holds extra importance and thanked Serbia for hosting it.

"Serbia and India have had close and friendly relations since the early days of the Non Aligned Movement, based on mutual trust, understanding and support on issues of great importance," said Rijiju.

He added that the idea behind the creation of the Non Aligned Movement was revolutionary - that states do not need to align themselves with one of the blocs.

Rijiju stated that 65 years later, the world is no longer bipolar, but a complicated one facing the challenges such as climate change, sustainability, and technological differences.

"India has always been a part of the solution, not the disruption. India believes that the whole world is a family, our focus has always been to work for a safer, more equal and peaceful world. India has always been committed to addressing the needs and aspirations of other developing countries and has always advocated for a comprehensive development of the countries of the Global South," Rijiju said.

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba and Special Envoy of the President of Cuba, Gerardo Penalver Portal, pointed out that his country is proud of its status as the founding state of the Movement.

"The continuation and action in the leading role of the Movement as well as the credible voice of the countries of the Global South is needed today more than ever, in facing the colossal challenges of the modern age," said Portal.

He spoke about the difficult position of his country, which is under US sanctions.

"We are witnessing an unprecedented tightening of the economic, trade and financial blockade by the US, implemented through an energy blockade that is tantamount to a naval blockade," Portal said.

The Cuban official ended his presentation by citing Fidel Castro - "The success and future of the Non Aligned Movement will depend on our ability not to allow imperialist ideology to penetrate its ranks, confuse, or deceive us."

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)