Kiren Rijiju holds bilateral talks at NAM Summit in Belgrade
Synopsis
On the sidelines of the NAM Summit in Belgrade, India's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held back-to-back bilateral meetings with Saudi Arabia, Serbia, and Angola — signalling how New Delhi is using multilateral platforms to advance a dense bilateral agenda across the Gulf, Europe, and Africa simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
Kiren Rijiju held multiple bilateral meetings at the NAM Summit in Belgrade on 2 September .
He met Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed A.
Elkhereiji to deepen the India–Saudi Arabia partnership.
Rijiju called on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and met National Assembly President Ana Brnabic , reaffirming strong India-Serbia ties.
Trade prospects with Serbia were discussed with Minister Jagoda Lazarevic .
Angola's Foreign Affairs Minister Tete Antonio was also met to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held a series of bilateral meetings with leaders from multiple nations on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Belgrade on 2 September. The discussions centred on deepening bilateral cooperation and expanding engagement across key sectors of mutual interest.
India-Saudi Arabia Partnership
Rijiju met with Waleed A. M. Elkhereiji, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to explore ways of deepening the longstanding partnership between the two nations. The two leaders exchanged views on broadening cooperation across areas of shared interest. In a post on X, Rijiju said, 'Met with H.E. Waleed A. M. Elkhereiji, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Exchanged views on further strengthening the close & enduring India–Saudi Arabia partnership & advancing cooperation across areas of mutual interest.'
Engagement with Serbian Leadership
The minister called on Aleksandar Vucic, President of the Republic of Serbia, on Tuesday, reaffirming the strong friendship and growing partnership between India and Serbia. Rijiju noted on X that the interaction was rooted in 'mutual respect & shared interests.' He also met Ana Brnabic, President of the Serbian National Assembly, where both sides reflected on the enduring India-Serbia relationship and the role of parliamentary exchanges in fostering closer people-to-people ties. Rijiju described the meeting as 'warm & meaningful' in a post on X on Wednesday.
Trade and Economic Discussions
Rijiju held separate talks with Jagoda Lazarevic, Serbia's Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade, discussing prospects for enhancing trade and economic partnership between India and Serbia and identifying new avenues for mutual growth. This meeting underscored the growing economic dimension of the bilateral relationship beyond diplomatic exchanges.
India-Angola Bilateral Ties
The minister also met Tete Antonio, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Angola, to discuss strengthening the bilateral partnership and expanding cooperation for the shared benefit of both countries. The engagement signals India's intent to broaden its diplomatic footprint across Africa through multilateral forums such as the NAM Summit.
Significance of the Belgrade Engagements
The flurry of bilateral meetings at the NAM Summit reflects India's active use of multilateral platforms to advance bilateral agendas simultaneously. This comes amid India's broader diplomatic push to deepen ties across the Gulf, Europe, and Africa. The NAM Summit, historically a forum for non-aligned nations, continues to serve as a key venue for India to engage a diverse set of partners outside the framework of formal state visits.
Point of View
Serbia (European connectivity and a historically warm partner), and Angola (Africa outreach) represent three distinct strategic vectors. What is less clear is whether these sideline conversations translate into concrete deliverables, or remain the kind of 'warm and meaningful' exchanges that generate social media posts but little follow-through. India's NAM engagement itself deserves scrutiny — the movement's relevance in a polarised world is contested, and New Delhi's participation signals a deliberate hedging strategy that it has maintained across governments.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kiren Rijiju do at the NAM Summit in Belgrade?
Kiren Rijiju held a series of bilateral meetings with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Serbia, and Angola on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Belgrade on 2 September. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across trade, diplomacy, and parliamentary engagement.
Who did Rijiju meet from Serbia at the NAM Summit?
Rijiju met Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, National Assembly President Ana Brnabic, and Trade Minister Jagoda Lazarevic. The meetings covered India-Serbia friendship, parliamentary exchanges, and trade and economic partnership.
What was discussed in the India-Saudi Arabia meeting in Belgrade?
Rijiju met Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed A. M. Elkhereiji to discuss deepening the longstanding India-Saudi Arabia partnership and exploring new areas of mutual cooperation.
Why is India participating in the NAM Summit?
India has historically been a founding voice of the Non-Aligned Movement and continues to engage with the forum as part of its multi-alignment foreign policy. The summit provides a platform to hold multiple bilateral meetings with a diverse set of nations simultaneously.
What was the outcome of Rijiju's meeting with Angola?
Rijiju met Angola's Foreign Affairs Minister Tete Antonio to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation for the shared benefit of both countries. No specific agreements were announced, according to available reports.
