MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh to lead Indian delegation at NAM Mid-Term Ministerial in Uganda on Oct 15-16

Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh will lead the Indian delegation for the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) taking place in Kampala, Uganda, on October 15-16, reports 24brussels.

The Ministerial will be preceded by a Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) scheduled for October 13-14. Secretary (West) Sibi George will represent India at the SOM.

Uganda assumes the chairmanship of NAM for the period of 2024-26. The upcoming Ministerial will revolve around the theme “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence.” India, as a founding member of NAM, remains dedicated to the movement’s principles and values.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) mentioned that Kirti Vardhan Singh is anticipated to engage with Ugandan leadership and counterparts from NAM Member States during his visit.

Ahead of the Ministerial, Secretary (West) Sibi George has been actively participating in several discussions on India’s behalf at the Senior Officials’ Meeting. The MEA indicated in a post on X that George conducted multiple bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the SOM in Kampala on October 13, paving the way for Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh’s involvement in the Ministerial later this week.

According to the MEA, Secretary (West) had discussions with the heads of delegation from Brunei, Chad, Comoros, Eritrea, Indonesia, Kuwait, Lesotho, Malaysia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. These talks aimed to enhance cooperation and prioritize shared interests within the NAM framework.

During his stay in Uganda, MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh is expected to further deepen India’s engagement with developing nations through meetings with Ugandan leaders and NAM counterparts. Prior to this visit, Singh attended the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

In a post on X, the Minister shared insights from his participation at the summit, stating, “It was a privilege to meet with His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt during the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El Sheikh. Egypt and India share a significant and vibrant strategic partnership. The Summit underscored the global commitment to peace and dialogue. India reaffirms its unwavering dedication to peace, stability, and enduring security within the Middle East.”

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi meets Kazakhstan counterpart, reaffirms defence partnership

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi met Major General Mereke Kuchekbayev, Chief of Land Forces of Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the United Nations Triangular Cooperation Conference (UNTCC) 2025, reaffirming the strong defence partnership between the two countries, reports 24brussels.

The meeting, which took place during the conference hosted in New Delhi, emphasized training cooperation, capacity building, and ongoing engagement for regional peace and stability. The Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information shared via X, “On the sidelines of the #UNTCC2025, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS met with Major General Mereke Kuchekbayev, Chief of Land Forces, Kazakhstan. The meeting reaffirmed the enduring defence partnership between the two nations…”

On the sidelines of the #UNTCC2025, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS met with Major General Mereke Kuchekbayev, Chief of Land Forces, Kazakhstan. The meeting reaffirmed the enduring defence partnership between the two nations, with a focus on training cooperation, capacity building… pic.twitter.com/inKEuFE4qN

— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) October 14, 2025

The interaction occurred during the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave on October 14, where military leaders from around the world convened to discuss the evolving global security landscape. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix addressed the gathering, pointing out how the UN has adapted over time to meet new challenges. He stated, “To be prepared for the future, we must be prepared today…”

Brig Gen Manoa Driuvakamaka Gadai from Fiji warned of the complexities of contemporary peacekeeping operations, asserting that “peace is not maintained by politics but by people.” Similarly, Gen Alemshet Degife from Ethiopia highlighted emerging global security threats and emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration among troop-contributing nations.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to maintaining a “rules-based order” amid violations by some nations. “For development, growth and prosperity, peace is essential,” he remarked, reiterating India’s foundational role as a signatory of the UN Charter and promoting a vision of global unity.

General Upendra Dwivedi echoed these sentiments, expressing that hosting the conference reflects “shared determination” for global peace. The conclave runs from October 14 to 16, 2025, and brings together military leaders from over 30 nations to reinforce a collective commitment to international peace and security. Discussions will focus on enhancing dialogue, interoperability, and sharing best practices, as well as leveraging indigenous technologies for future-ready peacekeeping missions, as stated by the Ministry of Defence.