Non-Aligned Movement

(A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation — It was not compulsory for the newly independent countries to join any one of the two power blocs after the Second World War. In fact, many newly independent countries, especially in Asia and Africa, felt the need for a strong movement towards securing peace and prosperity and establishing security for all countries. This led to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which provided an alternative for these countries to not formally align with or against any of the power blocs.

(A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Explanation — The newly independent countries in Asia and Africa decided to maintain a distance from the two power blocs to ensure their own identity and one of the objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement is indeed to protect human rights and environment.

(R) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — The fact that the first summit of the NAM was held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia is a direct result of President Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia being one of the founding members of the NAM.

(A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation — NAM opposes war and nuclear weapons, which aligns with their goal of promoting peace.
In the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit held in January 2024 in Kampala, Uganda, NAM condemned both Russia Ukraine War and Israel Palestine War and made an appeal for restoration of peace. However, its effectiveness has been limited and NAM hasn't been successful in stopping these wars.

It is aligned to any of the power blocs

Mutual aggression

President Rajendra Prasad of India

To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination

Latin American nations

Panchsheel

All of the above.

(a) The picture shows the founders of Non-Aligned Movement — Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India, President Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia and President Nasser of Egypt.
They are associated with the Non-Aligned Movement.

(b) The Non-Aligned Movement was formally launched at its first summit held in September 1961 at Belgrade in Yugoslavia.

Three objectives of NAM are as follows:

1. To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination.
2. To advocate sovereign equality of all states.
3. To encourage friendly relations among countries.

(c) Yes, NAM has achieved its objectives as can be seen by the following achievements:

1. NAM has helped in easing of tension between the two power blocs and ultimately in bringing about the end of the Cold War.
2. NAM acted against the arms race of the superpowers during the Cold War years.
3. NAM has supported the cause of international peace, justice and freedom.
4. NAM has advocated New International Economic Order (NIEO) based on greater economic cooperation and justice. In fact, the first UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held in 1964 was largely the outcome of the efforts made by the non-aligned countries.
5. NAM has made the developed countries realise that the continued deprivation of the third world would affect the economy of the world and their own prosperity.

NAM still continues to be positive, dynamic and constructive movement aimed at achieving universal peace, disarmament and development.

The concept of non-alignment emerged during the Cold War. After the Second World War, the world was divided into two power blocs — one led by the USA and the other by the erstwhile Soviet Union. It was during this period that many newly independent countries in Asia and Africa decided not to join any of the two blocs and to remain non-aligned.

Non-alignment emerged because of the following reasons-

1. Global tension caused by Cold War which might endanger world peace.
2. Struggle against imperialism and neocolonisation.
3. Right of independent judgement without the pressure of any power bloc.
4. Use of moderation in relations to all big powers to explore and advance their mutual interests by establishing friendly relations with all the nations.
5. Restructuring international economic order to boost their economic development from wherever they could without any strings attached with them.
6. Formation of a collective force to maintain or promote world peace.

Four objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement are as follows-

1. To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination.
2. To advocate sovereign equality of all states,
3. To encourage friendly relations among countries.
4. To advocate peaceful settlement of international disputes.

The basic principles of Panchsheel are as follows-

1. Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs
2. Mutual non-aggression
3. Equality for mutual benefit
4. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty
5. Peaceful co-existence

The Non-Aligned Movement was formally launched at its first summit held in September 1961 at Belgrade in Yugoslavia.

Three founder members of NAM were:

1. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India
2. President Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia
3. President Nasser of Egypt

Pt. Nehru advocated mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. He strongly advocated the principles of democratic socialism. His policy of non-alignment was not meant to promote a third bloc, but to ensure freedom of decision-making of the recently decolonised states.

Pt. Nehru was against the mad race for armaments and called for disarmament and abolition of stockpiles of nuclear weapons. It was in pursuance of his policy of disarmament that India signed a treaty in 1963 for banning atomic tests.

(a) The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) remains highly relevant today, as seen in the 2024 Uganda Summit where it condemned Israel’s assault on Gaza and called for a humanitarian ceasefire. NAM continues to serve vital global functions:

1. Advocacy for Peace and Human Rights – NAM opposes human rights violations and military aggression. It supports ceasefires and humanitarian aid, promoting global peace and stability.
2. Defending Sovereignty and Justice – It stands by oppressed nations, supporting their rights and justice in international platforms like the UN.
3. Humanitarian Concerns – NAM urges the implementation of UN resolutions and ensures relief reaches affected populations.
4. Mediating Global Conflicts – It acts as a unified voice for developing nations, encouraging peaceful resolutions and opposing unilateral military actions.
5. Maintaining a Balanced Global Order – NAM challenges neocolonialism and foreign interventions, protecting economic and political sovereignty.
6. Economic Justice – NAM counters the dominance of global financial institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and WTO, which often undermine democratic processes in weaker nations.
7. Resisting Superpower Domination – With its long-standing experience, NAM can play a key role in balancing global power dynamics, especially against U.S. dominance.

(b) Non-alignment is neither neutrality, nor isolation nor non-commitment.

1. Non-alignment is not neutral as it does not remain aloof from international problems. It actively participates in the politics among nations. So, non-alignment stands for 'action' rather than passivism.
2. NAM is not aloof as it comes forward to help the underdeveloped and developing newly independent countries.
3. NAM is not committed to any military blocs but maintains friendly relations with the countries of the First and the Second World.

(c) Four objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement are as follows-

1. To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination.
2. To advocate sovereign equality of all states,
3. To encourage friendly relations among countries.
4. To advocate peaceful settlement of international disputes.

(a) India was the first country to initiate the policy of non-alignment, under the leadership of Nehru.

1. Pt. Nehru was a visionary.
2. He realised that the greatest danger to the sovereignty and integrity of India and the other newly independent nations of Asia and Africa lay in their joining any of the two power blocs.
3. He called upon these countries to keep themselves away from the politics of two opposing camps, which had already brought about two world wars.
4. He advocated mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
5. It was Nehru, who gradually led the countries of Asia and Africa towards the concept of non-alignment.
6. He convinced these countries that they had great moral force and with their collective efforts could exert pressure on the issues of war and peace.
7. It was in confirmation of his views that he along with Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Chou En Lai of China, Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana led the Bandung Conference.
8. The decisions taken at the Bandung Conference were given a final shape at Belgrade in 1956.
9. Here, it was decided to form an organisation of the newly independent countries.

(b) Pt. Nehru was against the mad race for armaments.

1. He called for disarmament and abolition of stockpiles of nuclear weapons.
2. It was in pursuance of his policy of disarmament that India signed a treaty in 1963 for banning atomic tests.

(c) Nehru was acknowledged as the greatest spokesman for neutrality of Asian and African States in the Cold War era.

1. Opposing the policy of alignment, Nehru said, "By aligning ourselves with any one power, you surrender your opinion, give up the policy you would normally pursue because somebody else wants you to pursue another policy. I do not think that it would be a right policy for us to adopt."
2. Though Nehru was committed to western concept of liberalism and democracy, he did not approve of the military or economic alliances. He opposed these alliances as he believed that they encouraged colonialism and imperialism and were likely to produce a race for armaments.
3. Nehru was against the philosophy advocated by the two power blocs.
4. He was influenced by socialism. He therefore, strongly advocated the principles of democratic socialism.
5. His policy of non-alignment was not meant to promote a third bloc, but to ensure freedom of decision-making of the recently decolonised states.
6. Under the stewardship of Nehru, India played an important role in spreading the message of NAM. India promoted the cause of freedom of many countries of Asia and Africa which were still under foreign domination.

Three issues that can be taken up by NAM in its forthcoming summit are:

1. New Cold War — The Russia-Ukarine war may lead to a new Cold War between the west and Russia-China. The response of NAM can be on the agenda in its forthcoming summit.
2. Neo-Colonialism — The world is seeing a resurgence of colonialism in the form of Neo-colonialism. The military bases of USA located outside USA and China's Belt and Road initiative is criticized for being Neo-colonialism in nature. NAM can help in bringing together the member nations to take some collective action against this.
3. Combating Global Issues — Through the summit, NAM can mobilize international public opinion against terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, nuclear proliferation, ecological imbalance, safeguarding interests of developing nations in World Trade Organisation (WTO), etc.

India is widely perceived as a leader of the developing world. Thus, India can play a major role in bringing the nations of the Indian sub-continent closer and increase cooperation between them. We have seen the importance of being self reliant during the COVID-19 pandemic. India can play a major role from the NAM platform in making the Indian sub-continent self reliant collectively fighting against protectionism.
India can lead the NAM efforts in safeguarding the Indian sub-continent from neo-colonialism. India can support the nations of the Indian sub-continent in their fight against terrorism and protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity, thus, bringing peace, justice and freedom in the Indian sub-continent.

Yes, in present time, NAM stands for a broader objective of international peace as well as independence of foreign policy of each sovereign State. NAM continues to play a crucial role in global affairs. Its relevance today can be understood in the following ways:

1. Advocacy for Peace and Sovereignty — NAM opposes military interventions and supports sovereignty and independence of nations.
   Example: In 2024, at the Uganda Summit, NAM condemned Israel's assault on Gaza and called for a humanitarian ceasefire.
2. Balancing Global Power — NAM helps developing nations avoid dominance by any major power.
   Example: India follows a balanced foreign policy, engaging with both the USA and Russia while maintaining its non-aligned stance.
3. Economic Cooperation and Development — NAM promotes economic partnerships among member states to reduce dependence on powerful nations.
   Example: NAM countries collaborate in economic forums to negotiate fairer trade deals and reduce reliance on Western financial institutions.
4. Opposing Neocolonialism and Economic Exploitation — Many developing nations still face economic control by powerful countries through loans, trade restrictions, and multinational corporations.
   Example: NAM advocates against exploitative debt policies imposed by global financial institutions like the IMF, World Bank and WTO.
5. Addressing Climate Change and Global Issues — NAM actively promotes climate justice, fair trade, and sustainable development.
   Example: NAM members played a key role in climate negotiations, pushing for developed nations to take responsibility for emissions.