Non-Aligned Movement

Which of the following is NOT a feature of the Non Aligned Movement?

1. It is opposed to any kind of military alliances like NATO, SEATO etc.
2. It is aligned to any of the power blocs
3. It judges issue on merit and upholds the rights of all people for freedom and justice
4. It does not remain aloof from international problems.

Answer

It is aligned to any of the power blocs

Which of the following does NOT come under Panchsheel?

1. Mutual non-interference in internal affairs
2. Mutual aggression
3. Equality for Mutual benefit
4. Peaceful co-existence.

Answer

Mutual aggression

Which of the following is NOT considered as the 'founding fathers' of Non Aligned Movement:

1. President Joseph Broze Tito of Yugoslavia
2. Prime Minister Nehru of India
3. President Nasser of Egypt
4. President Rajendra Prasad of India.

Answer

President Rajendra Prasad of India

Which of the following is an objective of the Non-Aligned Movement?

1. To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination
2. To advocate non-settlement of international disputes
3. To challenge the UN as an organ of world peace
4. None of the above.

Answer

To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination

Which amongst the following only attended the NAM summits as an observer but did not join it?

1. Latin American nations
2. Sweden
3. Italy
4. Germany

Answer

Latin American nations

Which of the following became the guidelines for NAM?

1. Communist Manifesto
2. The UN Charter
3. Panchsheel
4. Warsaw pact

Answer

Panchsheel

Non-alignment means ................ .

1. non-membership to military
2. non alignment to power blocks
3. active participation in international issues
4. all of the above

Answer

all of the above

(A) Non-alignment is a policy that allows a country the freedom to decide its own course of actions in terms of world politics.

(B) After the Second World War it was compulsory for the newly independent countries to join any one of the two power blocs.

1. (B) contradicts (A)
2. (B) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (B) is false.
4. (A) and (B) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) is true but (B) is false

Explanation — It was not compulsory for the newly independent countries to join any one of the two power blocs after the Second World War. In fact, many newly independent countries, especially in Asia and Africa, felt the need for a strong movement towards securing peace and prosperity and establishing security for all countries. This led to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which provided an alternative for these countries to not formally align with or against any of the power blocs.

(A) The newly independent countries in Asia and Africa decided to maintain a distance from the two power blocs.

(B) One of the objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement is to protect human rights and to protect the environment

1. (B) contradicts (A)
2. (B) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (B) is false.
4. (A) and (B) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) and (B) are independent of each other.

Explanation — The newly independent countries in Asia and Africa decided to maintain a distance from the two power blocs to ensure their own identity and one of the objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement is indeed to protect human rights and environment.

(A) The First Summit of the Non-aligned Movement was held in Belgrade in the erstwhile Yogoslavia in 1961.

(B) President Joseph Broze Tito of Yogolsavia was one of the founding members of NAM.

1. (B) contradicts (A)
2. (B) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (B) is false.
4. (A) and (B) are independent of each other.

Answer

(B) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — The fact that the first summit of the NAM was held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia is a direct result of President Joseph Broz Tito of Yugoslavia being one of the founding members of the NAM.

(A) One of the objectives of NAM is to oppose the use of force and the use of nuclear weapons.

(B) NAM did not make any substantial efforts to prevent war between Russia and Ukraine or Israel and Palestine.

1. (B) contradicts (A)
2. (B) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (B) is false.
4. (A) and (B) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) is true but (B) is false

Explanation — NAM opposes war and nuclear weapons, which aligns with their goal of promoting peace.
In the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit held in January 2024 in Kampala, Uganda, NAM condemned both Russia Ukraine War and Israel Palestine War and made an appeal for restoration of peace. However, its effectiveness has been limited and NAM hasn't been successful in stopping these wars.

When did the concept of non-alignment emerge? Why?

Answer

The concept of non-alignment emerged during the Cold War. After the Second World War, the world was divided into two power blocs — one led by the USA and the other by the erstwhile Soviet Union. It was during this period that many newly independent countries in Asia and Africa decided not to join any of the two blocs and to remain non-aligned.

Non-alignment emerged because of the following reasons-

1. Global tension caused by Cold War which might endanger world peace.
2. Struggle against imperialism and neocolonisation.
3. Right of independent judgement without the pressure of any power bloc.
4. Use of moderation in relations to all big powers to explore and advance their mutual interests by establishing friendly relations with all the nations.
5. Restructuring international economic order to boost their economic development from wherever they could without any strings attached with them.
6. Formation of a collective force to maintain or promote world peace.

Mention any four objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Answer

Four objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement are as follows-

1. To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination.
2. To advocate sovereign equality of all states,
3. To encourage friendly relations among countries.
4. To advocate peaceful settlement of international disputes.

What are the basic principles of Panchsheel?

Answer

The basic principles of Panchsheel are as follows-

1. Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs
2. Mutual non-aggression
3. Equality for mutual benefit
4. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty
5. Peaceful co-existence

Where was non-aligned movement formally launched? Name three founder members of NAM.

Answer

The Non-Aligned Movement was formally launched at its first summit held in September 1961 at Belgrade in Yugoslavia.

Three founder members of NAM were:

1. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India
2. President Joseph Broze Tito of Yugoslavia
3. President Nasser of Egypt

What was Pt. Nehru's view about non-alignment? What did Pt. Nehru do to curb the mad race for armaments?

Answer

Pt. Nehru advocated mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. He strongly advocated the principles of democratic socialism. His policy of non-alignment was not meant to promote a third bloc, but to ensure freedom of decision-making of the recently decolonised states.

Pt. Nehru was against the mad race for armaments and called for disarmament and abolition of stockpiles of nuclear weapons. It was in pursuance of his policy of disarmament that India signed a treaty in 1963 for banning atomic tests.

With reference to Non-Aligned Movement, answer the following:

(a) Explain how Non-alignment is neither neutrality, nor isolation nor non-commitment.

(b) State the five principles of Panchsheel.

(c) Give any four objectives of NAM.

Answer

(a) Non-alignment is neither neutrality, nor isolation nor non-commitment.

1. Non-alignment is not neutral as it does not remain aloof from international problems. It actively participates in the politics among nations. So, non-alignment stands for 'action' rather than passivism.
2. NAM is not aloof as it comes forward to help the underdeveloped and developing newly independent countries.
3. NAM is not committed to any military blocs but maintains friendly relations with the countries of the First and the Second World.

(b) The basic principles of Panchsheel are as follows-

1. Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs
2. Mutual non-aggression
3. Equality for mutual benefit
4. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty
5. Peaceful co-existence

(c) Four objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement are as follows-

1. To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination.
2. To advocate sovereign equality of all states,
3. To encourage friendly relations among countries.
4. To advocate peaceful settlement of international disputes.

State the role of Jawaharlal Nehru under the following heads:

(a) Vision in starting the NAM.

(b) Curbing the mad race for armaments.

(c) As the spokesman for the newly independent countries of Asia and Africa.

Answer

(a) India was the first country to initiate the policy of non-alignment, under the leadership of Nehru.

1. Pt. Nehru was a visionary.
2. He realised that the greatest danger to the sovereignty and integrity of India and the other newly independent nations of Asia and Africa lay in their joining any of the two power blocs.
3. He called upon these countries to keep themselves away from the politics of two opposing camps, which had already brought about two world wars.
4. He advocated mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
5. It was Nehru, who gradually led the countries of Asia and Africa towards the concept of non-alignment.
6. He convinced these countries that they had great moral force and with their collective efforts could exert pressure on the issues of war and peace.
7. It was in confirmation of his views that he along with Joseph Broze Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Chou En Lai of China, Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana led the Bandung Conference.
8. The decisions taken at the Bandung Conference were given a final shape at Belgrade in 1956.
9. Here, it was decided to form an organisation of the newly independent countries.

(b) Pt. Nehru was against the mad race for armaments.

1. He called for disarmament and abolition of stockpiles of nuclear weapons.
2. It was in pursuance of his policy of disarmament that India signed a treaty in 1963 for banning atomic tests.

(c) Nehru was acknowledged as the greatest spokesman for neutrality of Asian and African States in the Cold War era.

1. Opposing the policy of alignment, Nehru said, "By aligning ourselves with any one power, you surrender your opinion, give up the policy you would normally pursue because somebody else wants you to pursue another policy. I do not think that it would be a right policy for us to adopt."
2. Though Nehru was committed to western concept of liberalism and democracy, he did not approve of the military or economic alliances. He opposed these alliances as he believed that they encouraged colonialism and imperialism and were likely to produce a race for armaments.
3. Nehru was against the philosophy advocated by the two power blocs.
4. He was influenced by socialism. He therefore, strongly advocated the principles of democratic socialism.
5. His policy of non-alignment was not meant to promote a third bloc, but to ensure freedom of decision-making of the recently decolonised states.
6. Under the stewardship of Nehru, India played an important role in spreading the message of NAM. India promoted the cause of freedom of many countries of Asia and Africa which were still under foreign domination.

Study the picture and answer the following questions:

(a) Identify the persons in the picture. Name the organisation with which these persons were associated.

(b) Where was this organisation formed? State any three objectives of this organisation.

(c) Has this organisation been able to achieve its objectives? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer

(a) The picture shows the founders of Non-Aligned Movement — Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India, President Joseph Broze Tito of Yugoslavia and President Nasser of Egypt.
They are associated with the Non-Aligned Movement.

(b) The Non-Aligned Movement was formally launched at its first summit held in September 1961 at Belgrade in Yugoslavia.

Three objectives of NAM are as follows:

1. To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination.
2. To advocate sovereign equality of all states.
3. To encourage friendly relations among countries.

(c) Yes, NAM has achieved its objectives as can be seen by the following achievements:

1. NAM has helped in easing of tension between the two power blocs and ultimately in bringing about the end of the Cold War.
2. NAM acted against the arms race of the superpowers during the Cold War years.
3. NAM has supported the cause of international peace, justice and freedom.
4. NAM has advocated New International Economic Order (NIEO) based on greater economic cooperation and justice. In fact, the first UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held in 1964 was largely the outcome of the efforts made by the non-aligned countries.
5. NAM has made the developed countries realise that the continued deprivation of the third world would affect the economy of the world and their own prosperity.

NAM still continues to be positive, dynamic and constructive movement aimed at achieving universal peace, disarmament and development.

State any three issues which can be taken up by NAM in its forthcoming summit.

Answer

Three issues that can be taken up by NAM in its forthcoming summit are:

1. New Cold War — The Russia-Ukarine war may lead to a new Cold War between the west and Russia-China. The response of NAM can be on the agenda in its forthcoming summit.
2. Neo-Colonialism — The world is seeing a resurgence of colonialism in the form of Neo-colonialism. The military bases of USA located outside USA and China's Belt and Road initiative is criticized for being Neo-colonialism in nature. NAM can help in bringing together the member nations to take some collective action against this.
3. Combating Global Issues — Through the summit, NAM can mobilize international public opinion against terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, nuclear proliferation, ecological imbalance, safeguarding interests of developing nations in World Trade Organisation (WTO), etc.

What role India has to play from the NAM platform to bring peace, justice and freedom in the Indian sub-continent?

Answer

India is widely perceived as a leader of the developing world. Thus, India can play a major role in bringing the nations of the Indian sub-continent closer and increase cooperation between them. We have seen the importance of being self reliant during the COVID-19 pandemic. India can play a major role from the NAM platform in making the Indian sub-continent self reliant collectively fighting against protectionism.
India can lead the NAM efforts in safeguarding the Indian sub-continent from neo-colonialism. India can support the nations of the Indian sub-continent in their fight against terrorism and protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity, thus, bringing peace, justice and freedom in the Indian sub-continent.