19th NAM Summit and India-Uganda Relations

Context of the 19th NAM Summit

The 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was recently held in Kampala, Uganda. This event brought significant attention to India-Uganda relations, particularly a historical incident.

During the summit, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni expressed regret over the expulsion of Indians by former dictator Idi Amin in the 1970s. He acknowledged the positive contributions of the Indian diaspora in Uganda and commended India's leadership in the Global South.

Key Outcomes of the 19th NAM Summit

The 19th NAM Summit was themed “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence”. Uganda assumed the chairmanship of NAM from Azerbaijan, a role it will hold until 2027.

A significant outcome was the adoption of the Kampala Declaration. This declaration strongly condemned Israeli military aggression and called for the immediate implementation of the UN Security Council resolution. The resolution aims to facilitate humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip.

India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) led the Indian delegation. He advocated for a sustainable solution to the Gaza crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian relief. The EAM also urged the international community to prevent the conflict's spread across the wider West Asia region.

The Non-Aligned Movement: Foundation and Principles

The Non-Aligned Movement was formally founded in September 1961 at the First Summit Conference of Belgrade. This followed six years after the preparatory Bandung Conference.

The movement emerged during the intense geopolitical climate of the Cold War. Its primary objective was to create an organization of states that would not formally align with either the United States or the Soviet Union. Instead, these states sought to maintain their independence and neutrality in global affairs.

NAM operates without a permanent secretariat or a formal founding charter, act, or treaty. Its summits are typically held every three years to discuss and coordinate member states' positions on global issues.

Evolution of India-Uganda Relations

India and Uganda share a deep historical relationship spanning over a century. The initial influx of Indians to Uganda began at the start of the 20th century.

India's freedom struggle served as a significant inspiration for early Ugandan activists in their fight against colonization. This shared history culminated in Uganda achieving its independence in 1962.

India officially established its diplomatic presence in Uganda in 1965, solidifying the bilateral ties between the two nations.