India's Contibution to NAM - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) emerged as a coalition of third world countries after World War II, with a primary focus on protecting the newfound independence and sovereignty of its member nations. In its early days, NAM played a significant role in the process of decolonization. Additionally, the movement has been instrumental in maintaining global peace and security.

History and Evolution

1. Bandung Conference (1955)

• The Bandung Asian-African conference in 1955 is considered the most immediate antecedent to the creation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The meeting was attended by 29 heads of states belonging to the first post-colonial generation. The objective was to identify and assess world issues and pursue joint policies in international relations.
• These newly independent countries had development and increasing living standards as their main concern; thus, they did not want to be part of either the Western or Eastern blocs and become embroiled in the Cold War. The 'Ten Principles of Bandung' were proclaimed at the conference and later adopted as the main goals and objectives of NAM.

2. Belgrade Summit (1961)

• The Non-Aligned Movement was founded at the First Summit Conference of Belgrade on September 1-6, 1961. The conference was attended by members from 25 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe, and Latin America (Cuba).
• NAM was declared a 'movement' and not an organization to avoid bureaucratic implications. It was conceived to play an active role in international politics, taking its own stand on international matters, which would reflect the interests of its members.

3. Ten Principles of Bandung
The Ten Principles of Bandung include respect for human rights, sovereignty, equality of nations, non-intervention, self-defense, non-aggression, peaceful settlement of disputes, cooperation, and adherence to international obligations.

4. Early Objectives and Achievements

• NAM's primary objectives focused on supporting self-determination, national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of states; opposing apartheid, multilateral military pacts, imperialism, colonialism, racism, and foreign occupation; strengthening the United Nations; democratizing international relations; promoting socio-economic development; and fostering international cooperation on equal footing.
• In the 1950s, NAM played an essential role in supporting nations struggling for independence and against colonization. The movement gained considerable diplomatic prestige under the leadership of third-world countries.

5. Evolution and Present Status of the Movement

• In the 1960s and 1970s, NAM expanded to include nearly all Asian and African countries. The issues raised by the movement also evolved, now encompassing the struggle for the respect of economic and political rights of third-world countries. The Algiers conference in 1973 launched the concept of the 'New International Economic Order'.
• By the end of the 1980s, the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the socialist bloc led some scholars to question the relevance of NAM. However, the movement's principles and objectives remain relevant in the current international context, as new issues such as terrorism and climate change necessitate global coordination.
• During the 14th NAM summit in Havana, Cuba, in September 2006, heads of states and governments of member countries reaffirmed their commitments to NAM's ideals, principles, and purposes. They expressed their belief that the absence of conflicting blocs did not reduce the need to strengthen the movement and adopted renewed purposes and principles for the movement in the present international scenario.
• According to Prof. T D Paul of McGill University, the Non-Aligned Movement is an example of 'soft balancing' by weaker states toward great powers engaged in intense rivalry and conflict. As these countries had little material ability to constrain superpower conflict and arms race, they adopted soft balancing through normative power. Normative power refers to a new set of values like peace, disarmament, development, autonomy of choice, and creating a new world order.

Aims of Non Aligned Movement

• The primary aim of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was to avoid alignment with any major power blocs during the Cold War era.
• NAM was envisioned by Pandit Nehru as a dynamic movement, rather than a formal organization or institution.
• The movement's agenda in the 1950s and 1960s focused on anti-imperialism, anti-racialism, and opposition to the bloc mentality and arms race.
• NAM sought to provide a platform for developing countries to prioritize their concerns and maintain principled positions on global issues.
• In its early years, the movement was successful in addressing and advocating against racial discrimination and colonialism.
• The movement's aims have evolved over time to adapt to changing global circumstances and to maintain its relevance in the international arena.

NAM during 70s and 80s.

• Between the 1980s and 1990s, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) focused on disarmament as its primary agenda. However, the movement was not successful in achieving its desired goals during this period.
• In the 1990s, the end of the Cold War led to a crisis within the NAM as it struggled to find a new purpose and agenda. The very reason for the existence of NAM was questioned, as it was primarily formed to maintain a neutral stance during the Cold War. Some member countries, such as Egypt, even proposed dissolving the movement altogether.
• During this time, Yugoslavia, one of the founding members of NAM, disintegrated, and the organization played no significant role in addressing the crisis. Furthermore, NAM failed to take a unified stance on the issue of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, as both countries were members of the movement. This lack of consensus and action further highlighted the challenges faced by the Non-Aligned Movement in the post-Cold War era.

NAM between 80s and 90s

• During the 1970s and 1980s, the agenda of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was focused on development. The main points include:
• NAM countries proposed the demand for a new international economic order, which was aimed at addressing issues related to neo-colonialism and the drain of wealth from periphery countries to core countries.
• The theoretical basis for this proposal was dependency theory, which highlights the unequal economic relationships between developed and developing countries.
• The agenda aimed to achieve the following goals:
  • Impose responsibilities on multinational corporations (MNCs)
  • Better valuation of goods exported by developing countries
  • Pressure Western countries to transfer funds and technology to developing countries
• The outcomes of these efforts were not successful due to:
  • Lack of solidarity among third world countries
  • Western countries successfully creating geopolitical conflicts among third world countries
  • The proposal being utopian and not feasible in practice, as it was not possible to achieve equal value for raw materials and manufactured goods
• The proposal was an attempt to apply socialism in international trade and was inspired by the oil diplomacy of OPEC countries. However, other countries did not have similar bargaining power, and oil-producing countries did not apply pressure on behalf of other third world countries.

What should have been India’s approach?

India's Approach to the Non-Aligned Movement: Different Perspectives
1. Views of C Rajamohan

• C Rajamohan believes that India should have agreed to disband the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) as it had no significant achievements in the past and no prospects for any achievements in the future. He argues that the end of the Cold War would have been the best time for India to gracefully exit the platform. According to him, NAM countries should have declared their mission accomplished.
• However, India's then-Prime Minister, Narsimha Rao, held a different view. He argued that the main agenda of NAM was not just related to superpower rivalry and that it was a mere coincidence that NAM was born during the Cold War. He believed that NAM had a broader agenda to address the concerns of third-world countries. Additionally, he held that even with a single superpower, it did not mean that India had to align with that superpower.

2. Views of T V Paul

• T V Paul argues that NAM has not received the credit it deserves due to intellectual bias against the movement. Despite its shortcomings, NAM has acted as a limited soft-balancing mechanism. Some of the notable achievements of NAM include:
• De-legitimizing the threatening behavior of superpowers.
• Contributing to the end of colonialism.
• Promoting the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), nuclear weapon-free zones, and the development of a taboo against nuclear weapons due to sustained pressure from NAM countries.

Paul believes that NAM has effectively used 'naming and shaming' tools against great powers. He argues that the intellectual bias against NAM, a coalition of weaker states, is as natural and expected as the bias against subaltern class movements among upper classes and upper castes in hierarchical societies.

Present relevance of NAM

1. NAM as a soft balancing mechanism: As per T V Paul, there is a possibility of reviving the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) as a soft balancing mechanism against powerful states. With the resurgence of great power competition, arms race, militarization of oceans, and territorial expansions, weaker countries need to come together to delegitimize imperial ventures. If third-world countries do not act as cushioning forces, the international order might spiral into a hot war. Great powers require restraint and balance, and soft balancing by smaller states has a key role to play.
2. Reviving the Bandung spirit: To prevent international conflicts that could ultimately bring sufferings to smaller countries, there is a need to revive the spirit of the Bandung Conference, which inspired the formation of NAM. However, with China and India in the race for superstardom, the onus of reviving the Bandung spirit falls on smaller countries.
3. Importance of normative politics: Even when results do not come in the short run, normative politics have value in the long run.

Relevance of NAM for India

• Basis for India's soft power: NAM has provided a strong foundation for building India's soft power in the international arena.
• Need for third-world solidarity: Even today, India requires solidarity among third-world countries to address global issues and maintain a balance of power.

C Rajamohan's Views on NAM's Irrelevance

• Lack of support for India: According to C Rajamohan, NAM was never relevant for India as NAM countries never supported India during its times of need. For example, during the 1962 war, countries like Indonesia and Ghana took a pro-China approach. Similarly, during the 1965 war, NAM countries like Indonesia supported Pakistan and even supplied weapons to them.
• NAM's failure during the 1971 war: During the 1971 war, NAM countries in West Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia fiercely supported Pakistan. Sri Lanka even provided refueling facilities to Pakistani aircraft.

Scholars who favour NAM

1. Promoting National Interest: According to T P Srinivasan, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has benefited India as it allowed the country to promote its national interests according to its preferences. NAM enabled India to navigate through bipolarity and maintain its sovereignty and independence.
2. Ensuring India's Relevance: Srinivasan argues that NAM is relevant for India and that the country has stakes in the integrity of the movement. By engaging with NAM, India can seek partnerships with other nations and exercise its freedom of thought and action, away from the influence of major powers like the US, Russia, and China.
3. Rebalancing India's Foreign Policy: Martand Jha suggests that the relevance of NAM for India depends on how we perceive the movement. While the Modi government has not shown much inclination towards NAM so far, India is in the process of rebalancing its foreign policy. The Indian Foreign Minister's visit to the 18th mid-term ministerial council of NAM countries in April 2018 is an example of this.
4. NAM as a Platform for Peace and Security: Jha contends that NAM should not be seen merely as a rejection of bloc politics. Instead, it should be viewed as a policy for autonomy, peace, and security, aimed at containing the hegemonic ambitions of superpowers. In this regard, NAM needs to be reinvented to suit the changing global scenario.
5. Leadership Role for India: NAM is the largest platform of developing countries outside the United Nations, and it provides a platform for India's natural leadership. However, to effectively leverage this platform, India needs to provide a concrete program of action, set clear goals, and demonstrate strong leadership.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) emerged as a platform for third world countries to maintain their independence and sovereignty during the Cold War era. Despite facing challenges and questions about its relevance in the post-Cold War era, the movement's principles and objectives continue to hold significance in addressing global issues such as terrorism and climate change. While some scholars argue that NAM is no longer relevant for India, others contend that it provides a platform for India's natural leadership, promoting national interests and maintaining solidarity among developing countries. Therefore, NAM's continued relevance depends on its ability to adapt to changing global circumstances and the willingness of its member nations to work together in addressing common concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of India's Contibution to NAM

What is the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)?

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a coalition of third-world countries that emerged after World War II, focusing on protecting the independence and sovereignty of its member nations. It aims to avoid alignment with any major power blocs and plays a role in maintaining global peace, security, and promoting cooperation among developing countries.

When and where was the Non-Aligned Movement founded?

The Non-Aligned Movement was founded at the First Summit Conference of Belgrade on September 1-6, 1961. The conference was attended by members from 25 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America (Cuba).

What are the Ten Principles of Bandung?

The Ten Principles of Bandung include respect for human rights, sovereignty, equality of nations, non-intervention, self-defense, non-aggression, peaceful settlement of disputes, cooperation, and adherence to international obligations. These principles were proclaimed at the Bandung Asian-African conference in 1955 and later adopted as the main goals and objectives of NAM.

How has the Non-Aligned Movement evolved over time?

NAM's objectives and focus have evolved since its inception. In the 1950s, NAM played a significant role in supporting nations struggling for independence and against colonization. The movement's agenda later expanded to include issues such as economic and political rights of third-world countries. In the post-Cold War era, new issues such as terrorism and climate change have emerged, requiring global coordination and reaffirming the relevance of NAM's principles and objectives.

Is the Non-Aligned Movement still relevant today?

While some scholars have questioned the relevance of NAM in the post-Cold War era, others argue that its principles and objectives remain relevant in the current international context. With the resurgence of great power competition, arms race, and new global challenges, NAM can serve as a soft balancing mechanism and platform for cooperation among developing countries to address these issues and maintain global peace and security.