Relevance of Non-Aligned Movement And 2009 Sharm El-Sheikh Summit

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) began its political journey in 1955, and it was led from its early beginnings by Egypt, India, and the former Yugoslavia. The political time in which the NAM began its activity was a difficult one. The theme of that time was the strategic conflict between the east, led by the erstwhile Soviet Union, and the West, led by the United States, to take exclusive control of the world's regions of influence in order to reinforce the ideological positions and strategic interests of the east and West.

Prominent and Key Role
The NAM played a prominent and key role in extending a helping hand to the national liberation movements in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

When the Third World states became liberated from colonialism, the strategic conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union increased in severity. At the same time, Africa suffered what was termed proxy wars between the east and the West, and Angola was a ferocious site for such wars. Among other reasons, these wars hampered the attempts of development and democracy in the African continent.

15th NAM Declaration
The leaders of the two-day 15th NAM Summit, held recently in Sharm El-Sheikh with the theme: "International Unity and Progress", Egypt, decided to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations while making it clear that terror should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group.

The issue of terrorism figured prominently in the Declaration which pushed for early finalisation of the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism mooted by India at the United Nations. The 118-member grouping pledged to strengthen NAM solidarity in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomsoever committed, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, international law and relevant international conventions.

The Declaration of the 15th Summit stressed that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group and that further progress was required taking into account the positions and views of NAM members on issues like formulating a joint organised response of the international community to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

India's Stand
The document takes on board the call made by the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to NAM nations that it was time they agreed on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).

In his forthright speech, Dr. Singh made it clear that terrorists and those who aid and abet them must be brought to justice. Though he did not name Pakistan, it was clear from Dr. Singh's remarks who it was aimed at.

The Indian Prime Minister said that the terror infrastructure must be dismantled and there should be no safe havens for terrorists because they do not represent any cause, group or religion.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration said the NAM nations stood together with China and the G-77 countries to press for fundamental reform of the international economic and financial systems and architecture to address its flaws which have come into spotlight in the wake of the global economic recession.

Future of NAM
This strategic conflict between the east and the West ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union and its totalitarian regime, while the United States took a position at the helm of the world in its capacity as the only pole. Afterward, debates were held on the future of the NAM.

However, international events and changes quickly renewed and consolidated the NAM's role, particularly when the United States, under George W. Bush, began a plan with the aim of dominating the world. In light of this unbridled policy by Bush, the world was severely unsettled, and a pressing need emerged to activate the NAM's role.

The draft of the final document or the Sharm El-Sheikh declaration states that the movement's leaders are getting ready to commence a new phase for the movement, in defense of the just regional and international causes with the aim of establishing peace and security and achieving economic development for all peoples. This is a noble task that Egypt will undertake during its presidency of the NAM in the next three years.

Manmohan Singh's Visit to France

There is nothing unusual when a head of state or government goes to visit other countries. In this light, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's recent visit to France can be viewed as a routine visit. However, the significance of this visit increases manifold when one realizes that Dr. Singh was invited to be the chief guest at France's National Day. He became the first Indian head of government who was accorded that rare honor on the occasion of France's Bastille Day.

France's Bastille Day
Bastille Day has a special place in France's history. On July 14, 1789, French revolutionaries had attacked Bastille prison and got all prisoners released, and it was at this place that the struggle against dictatorship commenced on this very day. The struggle succeeded in the establishment of democracy in France.

By extending invitation to the Indian prime minister to be the chief guest on this historic occasion, France has not only honored Indian democracy, but at the same time, it has accepted India as an emerging power in the world.

Undoubtedly Dr. Singh's France visit assumes greater significance as it would further strengthen and cement mutual relations between the countries. Otherwise also, it is inappropriate for India to depend entirely upon the United States on global issues. There are several burning issues like supply of nuclear fuel and permanent membership of the UN Security Council in which India can benefit from its cooperation and help.

At the same time, there are several such sectors including IT in which France can benefit from India. In view of this, the meeting between the two heads does not remain a mere formality but can play a significant role in further development of bilateral relations.

Indo-French Relations
Relations between India and France started growing from 1990, but during Dr. Singh era, these relations have gone from strength to strength. During 2005-2009, heads of the two countries continued to visit each other from time-to-time. This is Dr. Singh's third visit to France, which implies that New Delhi attaches great significance and importance to its relations with France.

After the civil nuclear deal between India and the US, and after the green signal was received from the Nuclear Suppliers' Group, France was among the first countries to express deep interest in nuclear trade with India.

In 2008, the two countries signed a nuclear agreement. Though the G-8 group, at its summit held at L'Aquila in Italy recently, has resolved not to transfer the technology of enrichment of Uranium and reprocessing technology to others, yet from India's viewpoint, it becomes important what attitude France adopts with regard to its nuclear agreement with India, in light of the G-8 decision.

If the ban decided to be imposed by the G-8 at L'Aquila takes a practical shape, it may create problems for India. However, despite all these issues, the prime minister would sign an agreement to set up two 1,650-MW nuclear reactors in Maharashtra during his meeting with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy. This is a significant initiative in the energy sector in Maharashtra, as also highly significant for mutual cooperation in the field of nuclear fuel between India and France.

There are huge possibilities of increasing bilateral trade, foreign investment, transfer of high technology, and cooperation in the fields of space, defense, and education. Useful discussions are expected to be held between the leaders. As far as bilateral trade is concerned, the two countries have resolved to take the trade to Euro 12 billion by 2012. The visit of Dr. Singh would prove beneficial in reaching that goal.

On the whole, Dr. Singh's France visit would prove beneficial in various fields of human endeavours, and bring India and France closer.

Advent of G-14

The decision of Group of Eight (G-8)--the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Japan--leaders to turn it into G-14, made in L'Aquila, Italy, is a historical step in many respects. If it does materialize, five countries with a growing economy, namely India, China, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa, will join the world's eight leading industrial countries.

If Egypt is also included in the group, it will be a forum representing almost 80 percent of the world's population. This is an indication of the rapid changes to be introduced in global governance.

Emerging Economic Powers
Before Russia joined G-8, it used to be an organization of the world's seven most prosperous capitalist countries. They were regarded the deciding factor in world economy. They wielded the power to direct it, and took full advantage of this situation. As long as the erstwhile Soviet Union existed, they faced some challenges in pushing their agenda of a capitalist market.

However, with its disintegration, they had their way. Russia, bearing the mantle of the Soviet Union, itself opted for capitalist economy. China had already moved fast toward a market-led economy. With Russia joining the G-8, the organization seemed to be all-powerful. With rapid changes in global balance of economic power, it, however, soon turned into an anachronism. Rich countries were forced to reach out to emerging economic powers.

To endorse their professed intention for a developed world, invitations were extended to them gradually. These countries known as G-5 hold their meetings regularly. Their decisions also have an impact on the decisions made by the G-8.

Strong Case for G-14
Italian President Silvio Berlusconi has now made a strong case for G-14. This came as no surprise. Yet, this development could hardly be imagined one-and-half decades ago. What of treating them on equal footing, rich nations even refused to take their demands seriously.

The US President Barack Obama says in reply to a journalist's question that a solution of the economic crisis problem was unthinkable if a country like India remained outside the group. The world has really undergone a vast change!

Present Realities
According to reports received from there, the global system will be reviewed. That implies that the governance of the international organizations will have to be changed. The World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other global financial institutions, and also the WTO will have to be reconstructed.

The process of political decisions must also change in accordance with the present realities in the world. In other words, the structure of the United Nations has to be changed. The alterations in global governance suggested at the G-8 summit can, therefore, be expected to prove to be a more suitable format to show a new world economic way.