Non-Aligned Movement of the Second World War

After the Second World War, two countries began to show their supremacy. These two countries were the USA and USSR.

They included many countries to their sides by forming several alliances. On the other hand, the African and Asian countries which had achieved independence, did not side with either America or Soviet Russia.

They were brought together with the ideology of Non-alignment with the super powers. These countries were famous later on as ‘Non-aligned Countries’.

 

The chief architect of the Non-aligned Movement was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Ahmed Sukarno, the President of Indonesia, Gamal Abdel Nasser, the President of Egypt and Marshall Tito, the President of Yugoslavia, Kwame Nkumah, the President of Ghana were also the leading personalities who championed the cause of Non-aligned Movement (NAM).

Causes of NAM:

Various causes were responsible for the Non-aligned Movement.

Firstly, the countries of Asia and Africa did not like to remain under a capitalist country like America or a Communist country like Soviet Russia.

Secondly, all the nation states of Asia and Africa wanted to negotiate themselves for economic development.

Thirdly, they realised that the race for armament is bad for every nation.

Fourthly, they imagined a ‘Third World’ which will help them in developing the economic and cultural co­operation.

Finally, the underdeveloped nations tried to develop by helping each other and decided not to interfere in internal affairs of any country. So these countries came together to from the Non-aligned Movement.

Primary Steps for NAM:

Primary Steps were taken for Non-aligned Movement in 18 April 1955. A Conference was held at Bandung, the capital of Indonesia in which 29 countries from Asia and 6 from Africa participated. This conference not only united Asian and African countries but also strictly opposed Colonialism.

The former Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s Principles of ‘Panchaseel’ (Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and Sovereignty, Non-aggression, Non-intervention in each other’s domestic affairs, Mutual benefit and equally and Peaceful co-existence) were adopted by this Conference.

This Conference took resolution to fight against apartheid to establish friendship with all member countries, to solve the intentional problems in a peaceful way, to respect other’s territorial sovereignty, to give respect to the law and ideas of the UNO etc. The Afro-Assian countries were inspired.

NAM Summits:

In order to activate NAM, various Summit were held. An account of different NAM summits has been given below.

Belgrade Conference (1961):

In 1960, on the occasion of the meeting of the General Assembly, Nehru, Tito, Nasser and Nkrumah met together and decided to start Non- aligned Movement.

According, the First Conference was held at Belgrade in 1961 in which 26 Afro-Asian countries and One European country participated. Three countries of Latin America joined in this conference as observers. This conference opposed the apartheid as well as praised the revolution for independence in Alzeria, Congo, Tunisia etc.

This Conference attached importance to destruction of Colonialism, opposed military alliances, encouraged disarmament, adopted the attitude of respect for Human Rights and also encouraged the establishment of equality among countries and to create a society without exploitation.

Cairo Conference (1964):

The Second Conference of the NAM was held at Cairo (Egypt) in 1964. In this conference 47 countries participated and 11 countries joined as observers. In the mean time, Indo-China War had taken place in 1962. The Cuban Missile Crisis also occurred and the exponent of ‘Panchaseel’, Jawaharlal Nehru had died. However, in this Conference “Programme for Peace and International Co-operation” was declared. It was also decided to take severe actions against imperialism and colonialism.

Lusaka Summit (1970):

In 1970, the Third Conference was held at Lusaka (Zambia). In this Conference, 54 member countries were present and nine countries sent their observers. It was accepted unanimously by the Non-aligned countries to refrain Super Powers (Russia and America) from the race of armament.

Besides that, the member nations decided to help each other for economic progress. This conference was also decided that the member countries had to resign from military pacts. In this Conference a request was made to Israel to return from occupied Arab territories.

Algiers Conference (1973):

In 1973, the Fourth Conference of the NAM was held at Algiers. This Conference was represented by 76 countries and nine countries sent their observers. This Conference also inspired many countries for their struggle for freedom and Detente. It also sent message to Israel to return from the Arab territories. The former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi formed her opinion about this conference as such: “We are responsible not to our individual countries alone but to peace and prosperity of the whole World”.

Colombo Conference (1976):

In 1976, the Fifth Conference of the NAM was held at Colombo. In this Conference 86 countries participated. This was the first NAM summit in the continent of Asia. This conference deeply discussed about various problems of Africa and Latin America. It also proposed to put an end to the Veto Power in Security Council of the UNO. It also attached importance on world economy.

Havana Conference (1979):

The Sixth NAM Conference was held at Havana in 1979 in which 94 member countries participated. This Conference was very crucial. The then President of Cuba, Fidel Castro emphasised that the countries like Cuba and Vietnam should establish relation with Russia. On the other hand, Singapore and Zaire wanted to join hand with America.

So this was a great blow for NAM. Besides that, Arab countries wanted to exclude Egypt from NAM because it signed Camp David Agreement with Israel. At last a warning was given to both powers to destroy the military stations. In this conference the Indian Ocean was declared as the Peaceful Zone.

New Delhi Summit (1983):

The Seventh NAM Summit was held at New Delhi in 1983 in which 99 countries participated and 20 countries sent their observers and 19 countries attended this summit as guests. It created a new milestone in the foreign relation of Smt. Indira Gandhi. This summit attached importance on the restriction on nuclear weapons, disarmament and establishment of nuclear free zone.

To return Diago Gracia to Mauritius, unconditional withdrawal or Israel from Palestine, returning back of foreign army from Afghanistan and Kampuchea etc. were discussed in this Conference. It also put emphasis on solving economical problems by signing bi-lateral and multi-lateral pacts among the member nations. The United States of America became angry with this summit because it was criticised vehemently in this Conference.

Harare Summit (1986):

Harare, the Capital of Zimbabwe was selected for the Eighth NAM Summit. This conference was attended by 101 nation states. In this conference, the apartheid in Pretoria was criticised. A Committee was framed by the members to visit America, England, West Germany and Japan to pursue them to support NAM. This conference also criticised American attack on Libya. At last, this summit gave clarian call to fight against Imperialism, Colonialism, Caste System and New Colonialism.

Belgrade Summit (1989):

The Ninth NAM Summit was held at Belgrade in 1989 in which 102 member countries participated. This Summit gave importance on total disarmament. It also raised voice against apartheid in Africa. The Belgrade Summit gave proposal to solve the Arab-Israel Conflict. This Summit also decided to solve the Afghan Crisis.

Jakarta Summit (1992):

In the meantime, in 1991, a conference was held at Akra in Ghana by the foreign Secretary of the member states of NAM. The Tenth NAM Summit was held in Jakarta in 1992. Through this Summit, a request was made to the UNO to solve the problem between Bosnia and Harzigovina. This conference wanted to see a nuclear free world.

Cartagena Summit (1995):

The Eleventh Summit of NAM was held at Cartagena (Colombia) in 1955. This Conference attached importance to establish a nuclear free zone. It also gave advice to bring reform in IMF (International Monetary Fund) and ‘World Bank’. The Cartagena Summit vehemently criticised global terrorism.

Durban Summit (1998):

The Durban Summit was the Twelfth NAM Summit which was held in 1998 and attended by 114 countries. This Conference opposed the testing of Nuclear Armaments. In this Conference, a decision was taken to make the relationship strong between developed and developing countries. This summit declared that there is no need of nuclear armaments after the end of Cold War.

Kualalampur Summit (2003):

It was the Thirteenth NAM Summit which was held in Kualalampur (Malaysia) in 24-25 March 2003. The Prime Minister of that country, Mahtir Muhammad inaugurated the Summit. In this conference, the Pakistani President, Parvez Musharaf raised Kashmir issue. The Prime Minister of India, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee in his speech asserted that Kashmir is the integral part of India. This conference put emphasis on economic development and globalisation.

Havana Summit (2006):

The Fourteenth NAM Summit was held at Havana during 15-17 September, 2006. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh participated in this summit. He advised to galvanise the U.N.O. The member countries decided to render help to each other in political, economic and intellectual fields.

Merits of NAM:

The Non-aligned Movement has various merits.

At first, through this movement, the Cold War could not spread.

Secondly, this movement imparted courage and morality to the weak and dependant nations.

Thirdly, the unity among the independent NAM countries brought forth a Third World and the member countries kept themselves away from the Eastern and Western blocs.

Fourthly, a good relation was established between Asia and Africa in the UNO. It not only paved the way for economic co­operation but also accelerated the progress of the Third World.

Danger to NAM:

Inspite of the success of the NAM, it faces danger from various quarters. At first, the member countries of NAM are resorting to conflicts instead of solving their problems peacefully. Secondly, many member countries of NAM increase their armaments by spending huge money. Thirdly, lack of trust among the member countries mars the progress of NAM.

NAM—an Analysis:

Many experts on international politics opine that after the cold war, disintegration of Soviet Union and freezing of the importance of the super powers, there is no need for Non-aligned Movement. Now the developing countries accept the policy of democracy by which the NAM seems meaningless. In the age of globalisation, the NAM is not able to play its role properly and perfectly.

Be that as it may. Non-aligned Movement is ever green even today. It has exhibited its role every time. It attaches importance to economic progress. Besides that, it takes some programmes which produce good result. In the 21st Century it raises voice against cross-border terrorism. It also takes step for mutual co-operation.

Infact, the Non-aligned Movement has created a novel chapter in the history of the contemporary world. As long as war, poverty, exploitation, terrorism exist, the NAM will be asserting itself to put an end to all their problems. This is infact a great characteristic of the Non-aligned Movement.