• The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a forum of 120 developing world states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.
• After the United Nations, it is the largest grouping of states worldwide
• The movement originated in the 1950s as an effort by some countries to avoid the polarized world of the Cold War between the pro-Soviet communist countries belonging to the Warsaw Pact, and the pro-American capitalist countries belonging to NATO
• The principles were agreed at the Bandung Conference in 1955, and the Non-Aligned Movement was established in 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia through an initiative of the Indian Prime Minister, Yugoslav President, Egyptian President, Ghanaian President and Indonesian President
• Purpose of the organisation is to ensure “the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries” in their “struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, and all forms of foreign aggression, occupation, domination, interference or hegemony as well as against great power and bloc politics.”

Why is NAM important for India?.

• For India, the concept of non-alignment began as a policy of non-participation in the military affairs of a bipolar world and in the context of colonialism aimed towards optimum involvement through multi-polar participation towards peace and security
• Also, Indian non-alignment was a product of the Cold War, a bipolar world and India’s colonial experience and the non-violent Indian independence struggle
• The term “non-alignment” was coined by V K Menon in his speech at the United Nations (UN) in 1953, which was later used by Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru during his speech in 1954 in Colombo, Sri Lanka; in which he described the Panchsheel (five restraints) which would later become the basis of the Non-Aligned Movement
• Nehru’s concept of non-alignment brought India considerable international prestige among newly independent states that shared its concerns about the military confrontation between the superpowers and the influence of the former colonial powers
• By laying the foundation stone of ‘Non-Alignment Movement’, India was able to establish a significant role for itself as a leader of the newly independent world and in the multilateral organisations like the UN.
• 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

India’s non-alignment policy has prioritized the free development of individuals, economic and social progress of society, and of nations. This strategy merges the objectives of peace and economic development within the country with the liberation of peoples from all forms of subordination and exploitation. As a result, India’s non-alignment stance serves as a benchmark for the positive development of international relations on a global scale.

Most of the NAM countries condemned the actions of the Russian Federation against Ukraine in the UN, but many abstained, and some even took the side of the Russian Federation. At the same time, NAM countries often and actively criticize Western sanctions as ineffective. The public position of the Movement itself has not yet been formed. Although the most clear and unequivocal lines of non-alignment to the conflict in the Ukrainian-Russian war from the NAM state and the G-20 are India, South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia and some other countries that set the tone for the Movement.

India because of its authority and historical experience, economic strength and growth dynamics that could become the real leader of the renewed NAM.