- Cold War tensions made new nations avoid power blocs to protect world peace and prevent war.
- Anti-imperialism feelings led newly independent countries to safeguard their hard-won freedom.
- Independent decision-making helped nations keep their identity and freedom in foreign policy.
- Balanced relations with all major powers promoted peace, cooperation, and goodwill.
- Economic needs pushed countries to seek aid and technology without political conditions.
- Collective strength of small nations gave them moral power to influence global peace.
Key Points
Key Points: Concept of Non-Alignment Movement
- NAM emerged during the Cold War when new Asian and African nations chose not to join either the USA or USSR blocs.
- Non-alignment means not joining any military or power bloc while remaining active in world affairs.
- It allows countries to follow an independent foreign policy.
- NAM opposes military alliances like NATO and Warsaw Pact.
- It supports peace, cooperation, freedom, and justice based on merit, not bloc politics.
Key Points: Factors Responsible for Non-Alignment
Key Points: Panchsheel
- In 1954, India and China agreed on five principles of peaceful coexistence, called Panchsheel.
- The principles included mutual respect, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful coexistence.
- Panchsheel became the foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
- These ideas were promoted at the Bandung Conference (1955) attended by Asian and African countries.
- The conference opposed colonialism and encouraged cooperation among newly independent nations.
Key Points: Architects of NAM
- Jawaharlal Nehru – Prime Minister – India
- Josip Broz Tito – President – Yugoslavia
- Gamal Abdel Nasser – President – Egypt
Other Founder Leaders:
- Archbishop Makarios – President – Cyprus
- U Nu – Prime Minister – Burma (Myanmar)
- Sukarno – President – Indonesia
- Kwame Nkrumah – President – Ghana
- Haile Selassie – Emperor – Ethiopia
- King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah – King – Nepal
Key Points: Objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement
- To avoid superpower rivalry and preserve independence.
- To oppose colonialism, imperialism, racism, and use of force.
- To promote peaceful settlement of disputes and friendly relations.
- To uphold sovereignty, human rights, and strengthen the UN.
- To work for disarmament and a fair New International Economic Order (NIEO).
Key Points: Achievements of NAM
- NAM helped reduce tensions between superpowers and contributed to the end of the Cold War.
- It opposed the arms race and promoted peace and disarmament.
- NAM supported international peace, justice, and freedom.
- It advocated a New International Economic Order (NIEO) for fair global development.
- It made developed nations aware of the importance of Third World development.
Key Points: Future of NAM
- NAM now focuses on peace and independent foreign policy of nations.
- Though politically weaker, it remains relevant for economic justice.
- It can counter neo-colonialism and pressure from IMF, World Bank, WTO.
- NAM can act as a check on dominance of a single superpower (USA).
- It still aims at peace, disarmament, and development.
Important Questions [6]
- State Any Two Principles of ‘Panchsheel’ in the Non-aligned Movement
- Which of these leaders was an architect of the Non-Aligned Movement?
- Identify the principle of panchsheel.
- Name the Two Architects of Nam.
- State the three basic objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement.
- With reference to the Non-Aligned Movement, explain the following: Role of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
