19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit opens in Kampala
The 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit opens in Uganda, today.
Leaders including Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as Prachanda, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesingh, who’s participation sparked controversy from opposition lawmakers after Sri Lanka’s decision to join US-led naval operations against Houthi rebels in the Red Sea amid desperate economic hardship and financial struggles in Sri Lanka.
This year, under the theme of “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence.”, leaders from 93 states discussed reforms of the United Nations, climate change and the global debt crisis. Delegates from Arab states pushed for discussions on Gaza and expressed that the group must make a political declaration on the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Nepal, which condemned the Hamas-led attack on October 7th, and Sri Lanka have maintained similar stances in support of a two-state solution while other members like Bangladesh have attributed sole responsibility of the war to Israel. India, however, has expressed support for Palestine while maintaining ties with Israel. Following the summit, expect a statement of renewed support for Palestine. India may push back against a direct call for a ceasefire to avoid angering Israel, frustrating other members of the group.
