Venkaiah Naidu bats for multilateralism at World War I event

NEW DELHI: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu batted for safeguarding multilateralism — and highlighted India’s strong support for it — amid the threat of growing protectionism during his just-concluded visit to Paris to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I.

“For India and Indians, nationalism is a spirit for action by which all Indians give their best so that each Indian gets the best due. In the present world order, national agenda shall merge to form the global agenda for action so that citizens all across the world benefit equally. This approach helps in breaking the walls of protectionism that stand to threaten multilateralism,” Naidu told a select media group in Paris.

Naidu said the Paris meetings provided an opportunity for about 70 global leaders to look at challenges to multilateralism and to work unitedly to prevent any disaster in the form of growing protectionism.


Naidu participated in a high-level panel discussion on ‘Dialogue of Continents on Global Governance’ focusing on the issues of multilateralism, international institutions and global governance challenges and the means to craft sustainable peace. “India would always be willing to play its role in improving the lot of mankind across territories,” Naidu recalled telling leaders who attended the Paris events.

Naidu interacted with US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. “All of them have praised the development efforts and the successes being registered by India in its quest for contributing to the progress of humanity,” Naidu remarked.

Sources said Trump and Naidu who sat side by side at the dinner table on November 10 also had the opportunity to talk about energy security. It is understood that Trump mentioned the US waiver for sanctions against India for importing oil from Iran. Trump is also said to have praised India’s growth story. Putin, too, applauded India’s economic growth and PM Modi during his interaction with Naidu on Sunday.

Naidu attended a solemn ceremony commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I at the historic Arc de Triomphe in the French capital.