Without the presence of 21st century enfant terrible of the Middle East Mohammad Ahmadinejad, the towering personality of Fidel Castro or the biting wit of Venezuelian President Hugo Chavez, the 15th Non-Aligned Movement Summit meet lacks the glamour element.

The media room has journalists wondering which world leader to chase for bites. Ultimately the general consensus is that it can only be India-Pakistan talks, whether they happen or not, that can really be the only 'story'.

Even the once flamboyant Muammar Gaddafi seems like an aged lion dressed in orange robes and purple turban. All he could say was "We are the world" referring to the over 100 heads of government of mostly developing nations who have gathered here in Sharm-el-Sheikh.

Gaddafi called for reforms of the United Nations, which he said should better, represent developing countries' interests. "We are facing new challenges and we need to reconsider, re-evaluate the international situation in order for the world to benefit from this huge gathering," he said.

Iranian President still smarting from the election fiasco gave this summit a miss. Iran is a member of NAM and the chair of the coming summit in 2012. However, Egypt's relations with Iran are lukewarm as Egypt opposes what it considers Iran's interference in the Arab affairs. So when the Egyptian President extended the invitation to Ahmadinejad, it was accepted initially but later it was declined and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki came instead.

But he too suddenly left Egypt for Iran Tuesday afternoon after the 15th ministerial meeting of the NAM leading to speculation that Ahmadinejad might suddenly turn up on Thursday. But it did not happen.

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