India’s Contribution to the Non-Alignment Movement Different phases; current role - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a coalition of 120 developing nations that do not have formal alliances with any major power bloc.
• Following the United Nations, it stands as the second-largest assembly of countries globally.
• The movement was born in the 1950s as an initiative by several nations aiming to steer clear of the divided world during the Cold War. This era saw the emergence of two dominant groups: the pro-Soviet communist nations within the Warsaw Pact and the pro-American capitalist nations within NATO.
• The fundamental principles of this movement were established during the Bandung Conference in 1955. The Non-Aligned Movement officially came into being in 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, thanks to the joint efforts of leaders from India, Yugoslavia, Egypt, Ghana, and Indonesia.
• The primary goal of this organization is to safeguard the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of non-aligned nations. It serves as a platform for these countries in their struggle against various forms of external aggression, including imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, foreign occupation, domination, interference, and hegemony, as well as against the politics of great powers and blocs.

Principles of NAM

• Respect for fundamental human rights and for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
• Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
• Recognition of the movements for national independence.
• Recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations, large and small.
• Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country.
• Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself singly or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.
• Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country.
• Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.
• Promotion of mutual interests and co-operation.
• Respect for justice and international obligations.

NAM: Importance Activities and positions

Non-Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation (NAM CSSTC)

• The Non-Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation (NAM CSSTC) is an intergovernmental institution situated in Jakarta, Indonesia. Its primary purpose is to assist developing nations in enhancing their individual capacities and their collective self-reliance. This institution operates as part of the broader efforts of the Non-Aligned Movement.
• The establishment of NAM CSSTC occurred a few years after the end of the Cold War. Its core mission revolves around fostering development in developing countries and expediting their growth.
• In 1995, a significant event took place in Cartagena de Indias, where representatives from 140 nations convened and endorsed a final document outlining the creation of the Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation in Indonesia.
• The central objective of this organization is to contribute to the development aspirations of developing countries, with a focus on achieving sustainable human development. It also strives to elevate the status of developing nations to equal partners in international relations.

NAM & India

• India's adoption of the non-alignment concept initially emerged as a policy of refraining from involvement in the military affairs of a world divided into two major power blocs. This stance was shaped by India's historical experience of colonialism and its desire for active engagement in a multipolar world order, emphasizing peace and security.
• The term "non-alignment" was introduced by V. K. Menon in a speech he delivered at the United Nations (UN) in 1953. Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru later popularized this term during his speech in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 1954. In this speech, Nehru elaborated on the principles of Panchsheel, which later served as the foundation for the Non-Aligned Movement.
• Nehru's concept of non-alignment significantly enhanced India's international standing, particularly among newly independent nations that shared India's concerns regarding the military standoff between the superpowers and the continued influence of former colonial powers.
• By pioneering the "Non-Alignment Movement," India succeeded in establishing itself as a prominent leader within the community of newly independent nations. This leadership role extended to its active involvement in multilateral organizations such as the United Nations.

First Criticism relating to NAM

• The non-aligned nations were unable to fulfil the role of peacekeepers during the Indo-China war of 1962 and the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965 despite meaningful attempts.
• The non-aligned response to the Bangladesh Liberation War and the following 1971 Indo-Pakistan War showed most of the non-aligned nations prioritised territorial integrity above human rights.
• It was during this period, that India’s non-aligned stance was questioned and criticized.

Present day importance of NAM to India

• Global South Cooperation
  • India is widely perceived as a leader of the developing world. Thus, India’s engagement with NAM will further help in the rise of India’s stature as the voice of the developing world or global south
  • So, in times of increasing protectionism, NAM can provide a good platform
• Strengthening of Multipolar World Order
  • This aspect being concurrent with India’s foreign policy, can be further complimented with the role of NAM
• Push for India’s candidature in UNSC
  • NAM’s total strength comprises 120 developing countries and most of them are members of the UN General Assembly; which can act as a strong support for India’s candidature as permanent member of UNSC

NAM Relevance in present day world

• The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) maintains its profound relevance in the contemporary world for several compelling reasons:
  • While NAM originally emerged as a political movement, it has gradually shifted its focus towards economic aspects. Even though the bipolarity of the world ended after the Cold War, a substantial economic disparity persists between first-world and third-world nations. As long as this economic gap exists, NAM remains pertinent in the current global landscape.
  • NAM continues to play a crucial role in preserving world peace. It has actively adhered to its foundational principles, ideals, and objectives, primarily aimed at establishing a peaceful and prosperous world.
  • As an international organization, NAM retains its relevance due to its enduring principles. The core idea of safeguarding the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of each nation remains meaningful. Given that approximately two-thirds of the world's nations are part of the United Nations, representing nearly 55% of the global population, NAM assumes a significant role in reinforcing and supporting the UN. Consequently, as one of the largest international organizations, it continues to serve as a valuable platform.
  • NAM has become an integral component of foreign policy for numerous countries. The NAM foreign policy remains highly pertinent today, particularly for many developing nations like India. The commitment to preventing colonization and imperialism remains a valid and crucial stance for smaller and developing countries.
• NAM functions as a catalyst for promoting cooperation among nations in the Global South. It raises critical issues that are of paramount concern to countries in the southern regions. NAM initiates collaborative efforts in economic, political, and social development, aiming to achieve significant progress in transitioning from developing to developed nations.

NAM has become defunct owing to following reasons

• Lack of Economic Pragmatism
  • Many of the economic ideas which were in vogue in the past are updated today. However, many NAM members are rooted in ideas of socialism and state control, ideas popular at the time of Nehru and Nassir
  • In this pursuance, they continue complaining about the IMF and the WTO but lack the muscle to do anything
  • So, Rather than complain about the new trade regime, the countries must adjust to changing realities and learn to derive strength from them
• Duplicity of efforts
  • NAM today competes with G-7, ASEAN and the Commonwealth, which are similar groups of nations. The other groups are more effective, as they deal with economic and trade issues
  • NAM has no position even on issues like human rights, child exploitation and gender issues. As a result, its members have to follow the Western dictates in this regard.
• Leadership
  • The statesmen who started NAM had a vision
  • But now, there is no leadership on global issues, and there are also disagreements among the members. As a result, the organization has no direction as to the path it should take
• Lack of real issues with NAM
  • NAM desperately needs new issues and themes to focus so that it can play a meaningful role in world politics in the future
  • NAM could have provided some leadership on things like nuclear non-proliferation, child labour, poverty and terrorism, besides other social and economic issues

Need of the hour: NAM’s revitalisation and not abandonment

• At a time, where the World is transitioning from Diminishing Confrontation Towards Increasing Cooperation, the NAM’s new focus must be on eradicating poverty, hunger, malnutrition and illiteracy
• Also, for a replacement of the unipolar world by the multipolar world, NAM is perhaps even more relevant now to international relations and development that at any time in the history
• Thus, NAM should develop a progressive agenda on the fundamental values of democracy, human right and multiculturalism.
  • There are so many worldwide issues like greenhouse gas emissions, health concerns specially AIDS, drug trafficking, rising instances of poverty, food crisis and unemployment, to which the NAM’s spectrum could be enlarged with these increasing concern
• On the whole, ‘The need of the hour is to call out for NAM’s revitalisation for it to be able to cater to the 21st Century needs of Third World countries more efficiently,’