PM Narendra Modi At NAM Summit: Some Busy Spreading Deadly Viruses Like ‘Terrorism, Fake News’

In his first address to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit after assuming office in 2014, PM Narendra Modi on May 4 highlighted the issues of ‘terrorism’ & ‘fake news’. He said, “Even as the world fights COVID-19, some people are busy spreading other deadly viruses. Such as terrorism. Such as fake news, and doctored videos to divide communities and countries.” PM Modi called them ‘deadly viruses’ at a time when the world is fighting the novel COVID-19. PM Modi also said that they should develop a platform for NAM countries to pool their ‘experiences, crisis-management protocols, best practices, resources and research’. This was the first time PM Modi participated in a NAM summit. He was the first Indian Prime Minister to skip the NAM summit in 2016 and also in 2019. PM Modi said that this is ‘most serious crisis’ humanity has faced in decades. He underlined that at this time, NAM can help promote global solidarity. PM Modi also added that COVID-19 has shown limitations of the existing international system. He said in the post-coronavirus world, a new template of globalisation, based on fairness, equality, and humanity is needed. Online NAM Contact Group Summit on ‘United against COVID-19’ was hosted by current NAM Chairman and Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev. Over 30 Heads of State and other leaders were part of the summit.