Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh planted a sapling at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple Complex in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, on October 17. This was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative, aimed at galvanising global environmental responsibility.

Singh took to X, stating, “Visited Shree Swaminarayan temple Complex, Kampala and planted a sapling there as a part of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. The campaign continues to galvanise action and underscores collective responsibility for preserving our environment.”

Since its launch, the campaign has attracted worldwide attention, earning praise for inspiring a ‘people’s revolution’ in climate preservation efforts.

During his visit to Kampala for the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Mid-Term Ministerial, Singh met Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, fostering diplomatic dialogue on the sidelines.

Singh also held discussions with Atim Anywar, Uganda’s Minister of State for Environment. Both emphasised climate resilience and the critical importance of regional and international collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.

The Minister met Mozambique’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Maria Manuela Dos Santos Lucas, reviewing bilateral cooperation in agriculture, capacity building, and information technology.

On October 16, Singh addressed the NAM session highlighting India’s position on terrorism. He condemned cross-border terror attacks on India, including the recent April 22, 2025 incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where innocent tourists were killed.

“Terrorism is a shared threat that can be addressed only through deeper international cooperation,” he said. Singh further criticised states that sponsor terror, implicitly referring to Pakistan, urging the global community to unequivocally condemn such acts.