In This Multi-polar World NAM Must Address Regional Issues

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt: As 15th Summit of Non Aligned Movement opens in Egypt today, existence of this second largest multilateral platform, to quote the American writer and activist Susan Sontag, “is no more than the precarious attainment of relevance in an intensely mobile flux of past, present, and future.”

Ms. Sontag was not talking about NAM but her statement appears apropos to describe the angst of the proponents of neutrality.

When twenty-five countries held the first non-aligned Summit in Belgrade in 1961, nation building projects were abound, decolonization as a discourse was amply debated, and the patriotic leaders of developing nations were committed to neutrality. These leaders, whose intelligence I dare not doubt, saw the world in black and white- east and west - US and Soviet Union. Polarity of the world was disconcerting and these leaders decided to call their platform ‘non-aligned’; and this was the first error of judgment. These leaders did not imagine a world in which one power would sub-due the other, or a world with multiple regional powers, as hegemonic in design as Washington and Moscow.

Theme for this year's summit, "International Solidarity for Peace and Development, and the Current Economic and Financial Crisis,” is appropriate but several key regional conflicts will not be debated. Representatives of the member states emphasize that the world today is faced with great challenges in the areas of peace and security, economic development and social progress, human rights and the rule of law to Non-Aligned Countries.

The severity of the global financial crises has stalled the economic growth and development of developing countries which has led to increased poverty and deprivation. The continuing lack of resources and underdevelopment of the majority of the developing world, and coercive and unilateral measures imposed by some developed countries, as well as, emerging regional powers further exacerbate this situation.

Representatives in Sharm El Sheikh assure us that NAM will remain guided in its endeavors by its Founding Principles, “will continue to uphold the principles of sovereignty and the sovereign equality of States, territorial integrity and non-intervention in the internal affairs of any State; defend, promote and encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.”

But look at the agenda and you will not find fundamental South Asian dispute: distribution of water resources. India, a founding member of NAM, yields significant clout and blocks any debate on Kashmir issue, but members states are verbose when discussing Puerto Rico.

What is needed now is more than rhetoric: NAM needs to restructure it’s organizational model to ensure cohesion and modify it’s principles to emphasize justice at all levels. Addressing regional conflicts will make Movement relevant to current and present challenges.

Over next five days what is expected are plenty of anti-imperialist speeches, expression of solidarity, and of course ample siesta on the sandy beaches of this gorgeous city on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Known as the City of Peace, Sharm el-Sheikh has hosted large number of international peace conferences in past 50 years. One hopes that this city will live up to it’s reputation and India and Pakistan will announce resumption of the stalled composite dialogue process. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and his Indian counter part Shivshankar Menon are expected to discuss key issues that have strained ties between the two countries over next couple of days. The meeting assumes special significance as it will be the first between the two foreign secretaries after the November 26, 2008 Mumbai attacks that virtually derailed the peace process. It will precede an important meeting between Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.