The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was established at the height of the Cold War, with the fall of the colonial order and the fights for the independence of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other parts of the world. The Movement’s early history saw substantial contributions from its actions to the decolonization process. A large number of peoples and countries eventually gained freedom and independence attributable to the decolonization process, which also resulted in the creation of numerous new sovereign States. These economies desire to combat both food insecurity and poverty. Africa and Asia, which had just gained their independence, were deeply infused with a sense of nationalism and were unwilling to compromise their freedom at any point. Neither bloc communism nor anti-communism was anything they wanted to combine. Jawahar Lal Nehru backed the “NON-Alignment Policy” because of this. According to Nehru, developing nations should prioritize growth and development over power politics. The Movement has constantly made a vital contribution to upholding global security and stability.
The Non-Alignment movement was founded by India. Three crucial figures in these movements were Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Marshal Tito of the former Yugoslavia, and Nasser of Egypt. In 1961, Belgrade hosted the inaugural Non-Alignment first summit. It began with 25 participants and has grown to be the largest informal, autonomous organisation with 120 members and 17 observers who reject bloc divides and sail ships of neutrality. In 1976’s fifth summit, the phrase “non-aligned movement” first arose, designating participating nations as “members of the movement.”
Phases of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM):
Phase 1
- From the year of independence in 1947 till the conclusion of the Indo-Pak War in 1965, India’s first phase of foreign policy was in effect.
- Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, was a crucial political player at this time.
Phase 2
Indira Gandhi turned to the Soviet Union as a significant international ally after Nehru’s death in 1964, significantly separating India from the United States in the process.
Phase 3
- India’s foreign policy climate underwent a significant transformation with the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union.
- In terms of geopolitics, India came closer to Washington’s position.
Principles of Non-Aligned Movement:
- Respect for the goals and ideals outlined in the United Nations Charter as well as for fundamental human rights.
- All nations’ territorial integrity and sovereignty must be respected.
- Not using collective defense agreements to advance the particular interests of any one of the major states.
- Refraining from applying pressure to other nations.
- Refraining from engaging in, threatening to engage in, or employing force against Aggression or the political independence of any nation.
- The peaceful resolution of all international disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
- Promotion of collaboration and shared interests.
- Honoring the law and international duties.
- Acknowledgement of the equality of all races and all countries, big and small.
- Avoiding interfering with or intervening in the internal affairs of another country.
- Adherence to the United Nations Charter and the respect for each country’s right to self-defense, whether individually or collectively.
Objectives of Non-Aligned Movement:
The main goals of non-aligned countries were to support national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of states. They oppose apartheid, refrain from interfering with multilateral military agreements, and maintain their independence from influence from great powers or bloc rivalries. They also fought against imperialism in all of its forms and manifestations, colonialism, neocolonialism, racism, and other forms of racial oppression. NAM motto is to oppose and denounce the classification of nations as good or evil based on arbitrary criteria, the adoption of a doctrine of preemptive attack, including nuclear attack, which is incompatible with international law, especially the legally binding agreements on nuclear disarmament.
Some other objectives in brief are:
- To explain what Non-Alignment means.
- The importance of Nam in the modern economy.
- The relevance of Nam post-World war.
- To comprehend the non-alignment component.
- To comprehend its significance for global stability and security.
Present Scenario of Non-Aligned Movement:
The cold war came to an end in 1991 with the fall of the Soviet Union. Consequently, the NAM’s applicability has given rise to a lot of discussion in international affairs. NAM is no longer relevant, claim detractors, because of the shift from a bipolar to a uni-polar international environment. But whether the globe is bipolar, multi-polar, or uni-polar, third-world countries will continue to pursue non-alignment as a foreign policy. As a result, many people still think that NAM is highly relevant in today’s society. Several of them are as follows:
- The core values of NAM can serve as a unifying force against the conventional foreign policy of great powers and impose strict restrictions on imperialism, nationalism, and universalism. They are still applicable as a strict measure to prevent colonization and imperialism of small and developing countries.
- It can act as a venue for developing country political coordination to advance and defend their shared interests in international relations as well as to advance unity, solidarity, and collaboration based on common principles and priorities that have been unanimously agreed upon.
- The Non-Alignment Movement currently has over 120 member countries and 17 observer nation states, all of which are also members of the UN. As a result, the NAM can have a significant impact on how the UN functions and can play a significant role in the UN’s decision-making process.
- In order to emphasize the importance of South-South cooperation, NAM might try to cooperate with the G-77 nations. It can also “work closely with the G-77 on problems like overcoming obstacles in pursuing sustainable development.”
- In order to secure increased participation of small and developing countries worldwide, NAM can “focus upon the reform of and democratization of UNO” according to the significant influence it has over the United Nations due to the huge number of its members.
- In accordance with the principles of the UN charter and international law, members of NAM can work together to protect global peace and security, settle international disputes, and promote friendly and cooperative relations among all states.
- After the end of the cold war, the NAM’s political relevance suffered a sharp decline, but it is still a potent tool for pursuing economic justice; as a result, until the demand for a new global economic order is granted, the movement is likely to continue serving as the voice of economic grievances.
- The imminent threat of environmental change and its catastrophic effects on the very survival of the human race are the most important problems facing humanity today. In the name of industrialization and development, careless loss of forest cover for trivial human needs has resulted in severe soil degradation and, ultimately, a food crisis. The industrialized economies’ practise of discharging their industrial waste in emerging or underdeveloped nations has made the problem worse for those nations. In order to protect the environment, “NAM in this regard can contribute by ensuring proper enforcement of the Montreal Protocol.”
Achievements of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM):
- The NAM movement’s most significant accomplishment was to kick-start an active worldwide peace effort during the height of the cold war and militarism. It contributed significantly to the averting of some local confrontations and worked to bring the Cold War to an end.
- NAM has succeeded in breaking western agencies’ stranglehold on news distribution services. The portrayal of a false picture of non-aligned third world countries was a result of Western hegemony over the media. However, these distortions have been significantly reduced when a non-aligned New-spool was established. This was a really impressive accomplishment.
- The NAM’s persistent support for the UN Organization’s improvement was one of its most notable contributions. The non-aligned nations had a significant impact on the General Assembly’s choices based on their numerical dominance. These nations have aided the UN in all of its endeavors to maintain peace around the world.
- A New International Economic Order (NIEO) based on political and economic equality was promoted by the countries.
- As a result of NAM’s stronger acceptance among newly independent countries, the globe was significantly kept from becoming bipolar.
Issues with Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) today:
- The PM Modi administration views the NAM as a remnant of the Nehruvian era and now refers to its objectives using the term “strategic autonomy.” He has also skipped all but one NAM meeting, making him the first Indian prime minister to do so during their entirety.
- India has joined a number of organisations created around world powers in recent years, including the Quad around the United States and the SCO around Russia and China.
- Other NAM members like Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela are subject to strict Western sanctions, and India’s relations with them are also no longer as strong. The most obvious threat to NAM principles is terrorism.
- India’s issues with Pakistan, as well as Malaysia and other nations who have criticized India for its treatment of minorities, human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, and other issues.
- Only two conference participants—Cyprus and Ethiopia—supported India in the conflict with China, confirming Nehru’s concerns.
- Other failures included the absence of collective self-reliance and action, as well as the failure to construct an egalitarian global informational or economic system. The current global order was too strong for the Movement to even ding it.
- When Nehru passed away, his idealistic outlook began to wane, and non-alignment under his successors evolved from pragmatism under Indira Gandhi to opportunism following the breakup of the Soviet Union to the semi-alignment of today.
- By philosophy, inclination, and threat perception, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party tends to be more aligned with the United States, whether under the hazy heading of the Indo-Pacific or otherwise.
Conclusion:
The NAM is still a significant and potent entity that works to promote world peace, disarmament, and economic growth. Non-Alignment has endured the test of time rather than losing its importance. But numerous local, regional, and notably territorial concerns between NAM’s member nations have not been resolved. It grew into a big lobbying organisation with grand, frequently idealistic speeches that had no effect. Therefore, this movement should focus more on addressing technology advancements, trade, economic cooperation, and climate change. NAM may serve as a global forum for emerging and smaller countries to voice their complaints and urge international reform.