Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju visited the Museum of Yugoslavia and the House of Flowers — the mausoleum of former Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito — in Belgrade, Serbia, on 31 August, as he arrived to lead India's delegation at a high-level commemorative meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The visit preceded the 65th anniversary meeting of the First Conference of Heads of State or Heads of Government of the NAM, scheduled from 31 August to 1 September.

Rijiju at the Historic Sites

Sharing details of his visit on social media platform X, Rijiju described the sites as offering a window into Yugoslavia's political history and cultural legacy. 'Visited the Museum of Yugoslavia & the House of Flowers (Tito's Mausoleum) in Belgrade, Serbia. A significant historical site offering insights into Yugoslavia's political history, cultural heritage & the life & legacy of Josip Broz Tito,' he posted.

The minister called the experience meaningful, noting it provided an opportunity to reflect on the history that shaped the region. Belgrade's deep association with the birth of the NAM — the first conference was held here in 1961 — lends particular weight to the visit.

Tribute to Gandhi, Outreach to Indian Community

Before the commemorative meeting, Rijiju also paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Belgrade. He subsequently interacted with members of the Indian community in Serbia, acknowledging their contribution to strengthening bilateral ties between India and Serbia. 'Before the NAM Meeting, paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi ji in Belgrade, Serbia. Interacted with members of Indian community appreciating their contribution towards strengthening India–Serbia ties,' he said in a separate post on X.

The NAM Anniversary Meeting

The high-level commemorative meeting is being held under the theme 'The Legacy of Non-Alignment: Lessons for Today's World.' The gathering marks 65 years since the first NAM summit, a landmark event in the history of developing nations that sought to chart an independent course between the Cold War blocs led by the United States and the Soviet Union.

India was among the founding members of the NAM and has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to the movement's principles. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the NAM today brings together 121 developing countries and continues to serve as a platform of historical and diplomatic significance.

India's Stake in the Movement

Rijiju's presence at the anniversary meeting underscores India's continued engagement with the NAM framework at a time when the global order is again marked by geopolitical competition and shifting alliances. Notably, this is India's latest high-level participation in a multilateral forum that traces its roots to the Nehruvian foreign policy doctrine of strategic autonomy.

The ministry has reiterated that India remains committed to the movement's founding values — sovereignty, territorial integrity, and opposition to interference in the internal affairs of states. With 121 member nations representing a majority of the world's population, the NAM's relevance in contemporary diplomacy continues to be debated and reasserted in equal measure.

As the Belgrade meeting concludes, attention will turn to what joint statements or declarations the member nations adopt — and whether the forum can translate its historical legacy into actionable consensus on today's pressing global challenges.