Jaishankar to Lead India at NAM Summit in Uganda; Will Also Undertake Official Visit to Nigeria

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is set to embark on a five-day visit to Uganda and Nigeria from January 19 to 23, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

During the first leg of the visit, Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to be held in Kampala, Uganda. EAM will then travel to Nigeria on an official visit from January 21-23.

“External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr. S. Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to be held in Kampala, Uganda on 19-20 January 2024. The Summit will be preceded by deliberations at the Ministerial and Senior Officials levels,” MEA said in a press statement.

The ministry said Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh is representing India at the NAM Foreign Ministers’ meeting which will precede the NAM Summit. MoS V Muraleedharan will represent India at the G-77 Third South Summit which will be held in Kampala on January 21-22.

“The 19th NAM Summit under the leadership of Uganda is being held under the theme ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence’ and brings together more than 120 developing countries on a platform of crucial historic significance,” the MEA release said.

It said India wholeheartedly supports Uganda’s theme for NAM and looks forward to engaging with NAM under Uganda’s leadership. “As one of the leading and founding members of NAM, India remains committed to the principles and values of the movement. On the sidelines of the NAM Summit, EAM is expected to meet with the Ugandan leadership and counterparts from NAM Member states,” the release added.

In Nigeria, the External Affairs Minister will co-chair the 6th India-Nigeria Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with his counterpart and meet with other leaders. He will also inaugurate the 3rd edition of Nigeria-India Business Council meeting, deliver a speech at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, interact with CII Business delegates and inaugurate the bust of Mahatma Gandhi.

Jaishankar will also chair the regional conference of Indian Heads of Missions. According to MEA, India and Nigeria have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations. This is EAM’s first visit to Nigeria which will further consolidate bilateral relations between the two countries.