Thaindian News

Tehran, Aug 30 (IANS) Pointing to deficits in global governance, India Thursday called on the Non-Aligned Movement to “take the lead” in rectifying this and sought immediate steps to reduce tensions in global hotspots like West Asia and North Africa.

“The deficit in global governance is perhaps most stark in the sphere of international peace and security and in restoring just and fair economic mechanisms,” Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said while addressing the 16th NAM summit here.

“Our movement should take the lead in building global governance structures that are representative, credible and effective,” he said, adding it was his “sincere hope” there can be agreement “on action to reform institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the World Bank and the IMF”.

“Existing problems cannot be solved effectively without a greater voice for developing countries on issues such as global trade, finance and investment,” Manmohan Singh said.

On the situation in West Asia and North Africa, the prime minister said that while India supports popular aspirations for a democratic and pluralistic order, “such transformation cannot be prompted by external intervention, which exacerbate the suffering of ordinary citizens”.