India, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Non Aligned Movement (NAM)

India's participation in the NAM gave an alternative option to post-colonial nations, in a Cold War world.

India, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Non Aligned Movement (NAM)

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• The story: Can a developing nation remain non-aligned with any major power bloc in global politics? Can it remain safe while choosing to stay away from a tight intertwining? Is that even an option? This question, asked in the 1940s, would have elicited mixed reactions. But after many decades of the non aligned experience, the world knows it is possible.
• NAM in brief: The Non-Aligned Movement is a forum of 120 developing world states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. The group was started in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1961. It was created by Yugoslavia’s President, Josip Broz Tito, India’s first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru, Egypt’s second President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah, and Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno. The most important antecedent to the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement was the Bandung Asian-African Conference of 1955, held in Bandung to identify and assess the world issues at the time and pursue joint policies in international relations.

1. The concept of not aligning a country’s policy with others can be traced to the Congress of Vienna (1814-15) when the neutrality of Switzerland was recognised. That was perhaps the first such incidence.  (more on Switzerland in last part)
2. The modern NAM was founded during the collapse of the colonial system in 20th century, and the vibrant independence struggles of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions and at the height of the Cold War.
3. The principles that would govern relations among large and small nations, known as the "Ten Principles of Bandung" were proclaimed. 
4. Thus, the NAM was formed during the Cold War to create an independent path in world politics that would not result in member States becoming pawns in the struggles between the major powers.

• NAM comes into being: The first summit of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries was held in Cairo, Egypt in 1961. Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Ahmed Sukarno of Indonesia and Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia later became the founding fathers of the movement.

1. The 1950s were a troubling time for a fledging nation like India. PM Nehru saw world problems as interlinked but considers India’s interests first even before the merits of the case.
2. He was opposed to the conformity required by both sides in the Cold War. He did not like the "our way or the highway" approach.
3. His opposition to alliances was justified by American weapons supply to Pakistan from 1954 and the creation of western-led military blocs in Asia. 
4. Non-alignment was the least costly policy for promoting India’s diplomatic presence, a sensible approach when India was weak and and the best means of securing economic assistance from abroad.

• What NAM tried: It sought to "create an independent path in world politics that would not result in member States becoming pawns in the struggles between the major powers." 

1. It identified the right of independent judgment, the struggle against imperialism and neo-colonialism, and the use of moderation in relations with all big powers as the three basic elements that have influenced its approach. At present, an additional goal is facilitating a restructuring of the international economic order. 
2. Principles - Respect for fundamental human rights and of the objectives and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. Recognition of equality among all races and of equality among all nations, both large and small. Non-interference or non-intervention into the internal affairs of another country. Respect the right of every nation to defend itself, either individually or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations. Non-use of collective defence pacts to benefit the specific interests of any of the great powers. Refraining from acts or threats of aggression and use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any nation.

• Not an easy road: The trouble was to find a definition of this policy, which caused a credibility gap between theory and practice. Early on, since there was a certain economic dependence on donor countries who were nearly all members of western military pacts, India was treading a delicate line. Indian equidistance to both Koreas and both Vietnams was showed this understanding. But India did recognise one party in the two Chinas and two Germanies. The Treaty of peace, friendship and cooperation between India and the USSR of 1971 due to the Liberation war of Bangladesh came close to being a military alliance (which it was not).
• NAM not totally successful: PM Nehru was hesitant earlier because in theory a coalition or movement of non-aligned nations was a contradiction in terms. Then Defence Minister Krishna Menon had said that true non-alignment was to be non-aligned towards the non-aligned. Among the members there were varying alignments, non-internalising of their own concepts of human rights and peaceful settlement of disputes without violating the principle of sovereign domestic jurisdiction. Lack of collective action and collective self-reliance, and the non-establishment of an equitable international economic or information order were other failures. In the years following Nehru’s death, non-alignment of India underwent considerable changes by inclining to greater alignment with the United States at present.
• Neutrality of Switzerland: In 2021, the Swiss Ambassador said that its traditional foreign Policy of Neutrality (Swiss Neutrality) had become attractive again because of the changing political reality in the world. It is a foreign policy position wherein a state intends to remain neutral in future wars. A sovereign state that reserves the right to become belligerent if attacked by a party to the war is in a condition of armed neutrality. A permanently neutral power is a sovereign state which is bound by international treaty, or by its own declaration, to be neutral towards the belligerents of all future wars. An example of a permanently neutral power is Switzerland. Other being Ireland, Austria, etc. The concept of neutrality in war is narrowly defined and puts specific constraints on the neutral party in return for the internationally recognized right to remain neutral. The International Day of Neutrality is a United Nations recognized day held on 12th December each year to raise public awareness of the value of neutrality in international relations. 

1. Evolution of Swiss Neutrality - Switzerland is renowned for its neutrality, but this should not be confused with pacifism. The country maintains an army, including obligatory conscription for men, and did so throughout both World Wars. The last time Switzerland (Swiss) fought a military battle was 500 years ago, against the French (the Swiss lost). In 1783, Switzerland was acknowledged as a neutral state in the Treaty of Paris. The Treaty of Paris was signed in Paris by Great Britain and the United States of America and Canada on 3rd September, 1783, and it officially ended the American Revolutionary War. Switzerland maintained its impartial stance through World War I (1914-18), when it mobilized its army and accepted refugees but also refused to take sides militarily. IIn 1920, meanwhile, the newly formed League of Nations officially recognized Swiss neutrality and established its headquarters in Geneva.
2. Second World War: A more significant challenge to Swiss neutrality came during World War II, when the country found itself encircled by the Axis powers. However even then Switzerland maintained its independence by promising retaliation in the event of an invasion. Since World War II, Switzerland has taken a more active role in international affairs by aiding humanitarian initiatives, but it remains fiercely neutral with regard to military affairs. It has never joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the European Union, and only joined the United Nations in 2002. In the 21st century, Switzerland is again becoming a destination for dialogue on difficult issues.
3. Significance for India: India’s policy of Non-alignment and Switzerland’s traditional policy of neutrality have led to a close understanding between the two countries. In 1948, a Treaty of Friendship was concluded between both the countries. Both believe in the spirit of democracy and pluralism.

• EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) Explain the existence of a Non Aligned Movement in a world that was torn between the capitalist bloc and the communist bloc. (2) Why did India's attitude towards NAM undergo a change later? Explain.

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