Non Alignment Movement (NAM)

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

Context:

The 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement prompts a reflection on Jawaharlal Nehru’s major contribution to the field of international relations. The concept of not aligning a country’s policy with others can be traced to the Congress of Vienna of (1814-15) when the neutrality of Switzerland, by which it would keep out of others’ conflicts, was recognised.

NAM & ITS PRINCIPLES

• The non-alignment movement was initiated by India, Egypt, Yugoslavia, Ghana and Indonesia in 1961
• The idea of the leaders of all countries was that of neutrality, neither to help USA or USSR 
• Bandung Conference -The basic concept of the group originated in 1955 during the Asia-Africa Bandung Conference held in Indonesia.
• Interests of developing countries-The movement represented the interests and concerns of developing countries to protect their autonomy.
• Membership- the condition was that the country’s party to NAM could not be part of any multilateral military alliance for bilateral military agreement with global powers involved in the power conflicts.

Largely Guided By Panchsheel Principles

• United Nations and international law -to abide by the principles enshrined in charter of United Nations and international law
• Respect sovereignty, territorial integrity, and diversity of all members states
• Conflicts should be settled peacefully as per the charter of the United Nations
• Despite the differences in the political social and economic systems of various members, there must be basic mutual respect and equality
• Work towards the promotion of shared interests and values
• Right of an individual or collective self-defence as per the charter of United Nations
• Non-interference in the internal affairs of the member states and respect for sovereignty
• Promotion of multilateral world order and solution of problems through discussions and dialogue

NAM IN COLD WAR ERA

• The movement favoured the process of decolonization and hence helped countries achieve freedom. It also aided at the end of the Apartheid
• It supported global disarmament and advocated for global peace and cooperation
• It favoured the principles enshrined in  the Declaration of the establishment of new economic order by the United Nations General Assembly
• The message of  the movement was to shape a new international order free from war, poverty, intolerance and injustice
• It favoured a system based on principles of peaceful coexistence and genuine interdependence,a world that takes into account the diversity of social systems and culture

Shortcomings of NAM

• It could not prevent Indo Pakistan and Sino Indian wars
• The members of NAM did not adopt a supportive position towards India during the war.  Ghana and Indonesia favoured China during the Indo- China War of 1962. Also in 1965 and 1971, Indonesia and Egypt lent their support to Pakistan 
• After the end of the cold war and dismantling of USSR, the NAM could not adopt a broader perspective of issues 

NAM AND INDIA

• Being a founding member India was an active participant till 1970s tilt towards the erstwhile USSR led to doubts among small nations which led to the joining of either bloc by the members.
• The disintegration of cold war structures India’s new economic policy of 1991 and inclination towards the US questioned the relevance and importance of NAM for India
• In 2016 the prime minister’s kept the 17th non-aligned movement summit in Venezuela second time when India did not participate in the conference
• India along with most of the NAM countries have aligned itself to the market based  liberal economic order and reaped benefits
• India accepted the G20 membership and has also declared itself  a nuclear state through India believes in No First Use Policy
• India   joined QUAD (US, India, Australia, Japan) which is considered an anti-China grouping as wells as SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) led by China to establish a balance of new and old global powers 
• India believes in the principles of the multilateral world which is the foundational value of NAM

WAY FORWARD

Following principles of the Declaration of Establishment of New International Economic order can act as a guiding light in today’s world as well- 

•  Sovereign equality of States, self-determination of all peoples, the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territories by force, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States.
• The broadest cooperation of all the States members of the international community, based on equity, whereby the prevailing disparities in the world may be banished and prosperity secured for all.
• Full and effective participation on the basis of equality of all countries in the solving of world economic problems in the common interest of all countries, 
• The right of every country to adopt the economic and social system that it deems the most appropriate for its own development and not to be subjected to discrimination of any kind as a result.
• Full permanent sovereignty of every State over its natural resources and all economic activities

NAM can act as a  platform where India by use of its soft power approach can play a leadership role to build consensus on various issues like terrorism, reforms in multilateral organizations, climate change etc

The Hindu Link:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/nam-at-60-marks-an-age-of-indian-alignment/article37464907.ece

Question- Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) principles can act as guiding forces in the present world order as well. Comment.