Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture (MoS), Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi (ML) will be visiting Belgrade, Serbia from 10-13 October 2021, as the Special Envoy of Prime Minister to attend the High-level Commemorative Meeting to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement.
2. The 60th Anniversary NAM Commemorative Meeting is being jointly co-hosted by H.E. Alexsander Vučić, President of Serbia and NAM Chair, H.E. President Aliyev of Azerbaijan.
3. The 60th anniversary of the first NAM Conference, which was held in Belgrade in 1961, provides an opportunity to reflect on how the Movement can respond to complex global challenges more effectively, guided by its founding principles of mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation. As a founding member of NAM, India will continue to work towards strengthening the NAM, as an important platform to raise the concerns of the developing world.
4. On the sidelines of the 60th Anniversary NAM Commemorative meeting, MoS (ML) is also likely to attend the Meeting of Women Heads of Delegations and Ministers of Foreign Affairs being hosted by the President of the 76th UNGA at the UN House in Belgrade.
5. During the visit, MoS (ML) will also hold bilateral discussions with H.E. Mr. Branislav Nedimović, Deputy PM and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, H.E. Dr. Nebojša Stefanović, Deputy PM and Minister of Defence, H.E. Ms. Maja Gojković, Deputy PM and Minister of Culture and Information, and H.E. Ms. Tatjana Matić, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications.
6. India and Serbia historically enjoy close and friendly relations. A bilateral Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) will be signed during the visit to further strengthen cooperation in fields of Culture and Arts. MoS (ML) will be delivering a lecture on ‘Structure of Judiciary in India’ at the Law Faculty of the University of Belgrade. She will also formally unveil the bust of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in Belgrade. In addition, she will interact with members of the Indian community and friends of India, and also visit Matica Srpska, the oldest Serbian literary, cultural and scientific society, and discuss ways for greater cooperation with institutions in India.
7. The visit of MoS will help to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
New Delhi
October 09, 2021
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