Question

What is Non Alignment Movement? How did the Non Alignment Movement help India to stay away from the conflicts of the cold war?​

Answer 1

Instructions:

1. Introduce NAM​: Talk about its background of emergence​
2. Describe the four principles of NAM​
3. Then, talk about how did NAM help India. Elaborate on its focus on domestic issues​ and free from political dominance​

Solution:
After World War II ended, there were two superpowers – USA and USSR. Many countries joined either of the two power blocs.​

• The end of World War II was also followed by the wake of decolonisation in Africa and Asia. ​At Bandung in 1955, the newly independent countries of Asia and Africa decided not to ally with any of the two Super Powers. This movement was known as Non-Alignment Movement.​
• Peaceful coexistence, commitment to peace and security, no military alliance with any superpower, and no permission for any superpower to build its military base in its territories were the basic principles of the movement.​
• India, being a newly independent country, torn by years of colonialism and outside influence, acted as the lead voice of the movement. ​The movement helped countries like India to focus on the domestic issues rather than the world politics.​ India’s new foreign policy was free from the political domination and economic interference from western capitalism of USA and the hardcore communist policies of USSR.