New Delhi rejects Rice remarks against NAM

India today rejected the US contention that the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) had "lost its meaning". US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had yesterday said that India should abandon a meaningless forum like NAM and ally closer with the US.

India today said the relevance of NAM continued in promoting "democratisation of the international system" and New Delhi was committed to its ideals. External affairs ministry said India's "firm and abiding commitment to non-alignment could not be questioned".

"The Non-Aligned Movement played a significant role in ending apartheid and colonialism. Today, its relevance continues in promoting South-South cooperation and democratisation of the international system," external affairs ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said here.

"India remains committed to its (NAM) ideals," he said.

Rice had suggested that India "move past old ways of thinking and old ways of acting" to create a partnership for the future of the relations between the two countries.

The CPI(M) said India should not be lectured on how foreign policy should be conducted.

"The message is being conveyed along with the assurance that the nuclear cooperation agreement can be finalised provided India understands the parameters of the 'strategic alliance' with the United States," the CPI(M) said in a statement.