In the first virtual Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked for a global cooperative response against the Covid-19 pandemic.

PM Modi stated during the virtual summit that some countries were instigating terrorism while the world is facing the Covid-19 crisis. PM Modi called for a more supportive and collaborative world post the pandemic. He also urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to keep the nub on developing countries healthcare situation.

In a video statement to NAM, Prime Minister Modi stated, “Even as we fight COVID virus, some people are busy spreading other deadly viruses such as terrorism, fake news and doctored videos to divide communities and countries.” The NAM summit was held on Monday with the central theme of ‘United against COVID-19’.

Recently there has been a spike in terrorist attacks and ceasefire violations across the Line of Control in Kashmir. On Sunday, India’s five security personnel were martyred in an anti-terrorist mission in Handwara, north of Kashmir.

Mr. Modi said in the summit that India had ensured supply of medical necessities to about 123 countries, out of which 59 are NAM members.

The statements were also directed towards the recent developments in Gulf and Prime Minister Modi spoke of them being insinuation of fake news and doctored videos. In the past Mr. Modi had not been a part of NAM summits held in 2016 and 2019. This being his first virtual summit is being viewed as a foreign policy shift, a decisive one.

The Prime Minister stated that COVID-19 has let us know of the limitations at an international level. He further stressed on the importance of new reforms in globalization in days post the pandemic and the need of fairness, equality and humanity in the decisions. He further emphasized the need of healthcare reforms and the need of equitable, affordable, fair and timely access to health needs and products.

Mr. Modi conferred that India is actively working upon the vaccine development against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the need of collaborative approach to tackle this pandemic.

The NAM summit was attended by 30 other head of states and government leaders to talk about the latest global crisis.