Non-alignment movement has a deep significance in Indian foreign policy and from the policy teaching of early Indian scholars like Chanakya Kauteliya who talks about neutrality and Peacemaking in pursuing national interests. This research will focus on an overview of NAM’s Development. It will go through the contribution of India in NAM’s development and formation furthermore the Indian policy-making and the role of NAM in pursuing India to advance its interests on a global scale and help India in pursuing its regional hegemonic interests. The next thing will be assessing NAM’s effectiveness in securing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. This paper will also explore methods India had used to implement NAM in building relationships with other states, particularly those in developing world. The issues NAM has experienced throughout the span of its arrival, the effects of cold war on NAM, and how it battled to stay relevant in contemporary times. Finally, this paper will cover the effectiveness of NAM as an instrument for Indian foreign policy. It will assess how NAM might need to evolve to stay relevant and how India will use NAM to gain its goals in international arena. The paper is a comprehensive tool to assess NAM as a policy tool for India and examine its strengths, weaknesses, and future prospects.
Keywords: Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Indian Foreign Policy, Strategic Autonomy, South-South Cooperation, Regional Hegemony.
Introduction:
The international organization aimed at providing a forum for developing nations to represent their interests and aspirations. Indian foreign policy is significantly shaped by the non-alignment movement, which has a keen role in putting India at the global high table in the developing world. The first meeting of heads of state occurred in 1961 in Yugoslavia. The backbone of NAM was the Bandung conference, the first Afro-Asian conference ever held, which saw 29 states send their official delegations. The founding members of NAM and their leaders were India (Jawaharlal Nehru), Indonesia (Sukarno), Egypt (Gamal Abdel Nasser), Ghana (Kwame Nkrumah), and Yugoslavia (Josip Broz Tito). They believed that the developing countries should not be aligned to any bloc nor should they become communist or capitalist, but find their own way of political governance and ways to achieve economic success.
Theoretical Background:
Neorealism is a theory of international system that states that power is the more crucial factor in international relations. It was coined by Kenneth Waltz in 1979 in the book Theory of international relations. which is further divided into two factions: offensive and defensive realism. The Indian NAM policy is powered by defensive realism in which India is trying to maximize its power up to a certain limit unlike offensive realism the aim of NAM is not hegemony but power maximization up to a certain level not to disrupt the balance of power without ambitions for expansion. This paper will examine the actions taken by India in order to maximize its power to ensure its security.
History of Non aligned Movement (NAM)
During the cold war from the end of World War 2 to the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991. There persisted an ideological conflict between the Western and Eastern blocs. The Western bloc was pro-capitalist and believed in the capitalist economic system and democracy which was led by the US along with most of the Western European states while on the other hand, the Eastern bloc led by the USSR believed in the imposition of communist system around the world. This conflict was based on which economic system was supreme and more beneficial to the world. The Non-aligned movement was an initiative by developing countries to sort of a middle path between these two ideological blocs which were centered on ending colonialism, attaining self-autonomy for developing states and respect and autonomy for smaller states. The term nonaligned was first coined in 1950 later in 1953 UN (United Nations) started using this word and in 1956 an official organization devoted to NAM was created. The first meeting of heads of state occurred in 1961 in Yugoslavia. The backbone of NAM was the Bandung conference, the first Afro-Asian conference ever held, which saw 29 states send their official delegations. The founding members of NAM and their leaders were India (Jawaharlal Nehru), Indonesia (Sukarno), Egypt (Gamal Abdel Nasser), Ghana (Kwame Nkrumah), and Yugoslavia (Josip Broz Tito). They believed that the developing countries should not be aligned to any bloc nor should they become communist or capitalist, but find their own way of political governance and ways to achieve economic success.
India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru was a strong advocate of non-aligned movement and played a key role in its formation. He believed the post-colonial states needed to maintain their independence from cold war superpowers and promote a more peaceful and cooperative world order. From its very inception and in developmental years of NAM India played a significant role. Nehru hosted the NAM summit in New Delhi in 1964. Promoting the organization’s objectives of decolonization, disarmament, and development. Nehru’s agenda helped the movement set its goals and agendas for its activities in the coming years.
Since its founding in 1961 during Cold War era, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has undergone enormous shifts. The movement was initially started by a collection of states trying to stay independent from the two Cold War superpowers. Since then, it has evolved to fit shifting international circumstances and has played a crucial role in world politics. NAM provided developing states with a forum at time of Cold War to advance their interests and seek assistance from other non-aligned nations. The NAM movement was important in promoting disarmament and decolonization, and NAM nations routinely worked to arbitrate disputes and foster peace. The Non-alignment movement made a substantial contribution to the development of the United Nations, the advancement of developing nation interests, and the promotion of changes to the global financial system.
Though the end of the cold war and the emergence of a unipolar world had left serious speculations on the purpose of non-aligned movement. Some argued that the movement had lost its purpose and should align itself with one or the great power. Nevertheless, NAM kept developing and adapting to new situations. The movement widened its scope by incorporating issues related to human rights, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. NAM also aimed to advance South-South cooperation, and it was a major force in promoting the rights of underdeveloped nations at global forums.
The advent of nationalist and populist movements, as well as the increasing effect of rising economies like China on the global political landscape have introduced new challenges for the NAM in recent years. while some observers contend that Non-alignment movement continues to influence greatly developing nations, despite being criticized as being irrelevant and obsolete. NAM’s development over time has been a portrayal of changing global dynamics and Non-alignment movement has always lobbied for a more just and multipolar governance in the international system.
NAM as a policy tool for India
One of the major ways India used NAM as a policy tool is by maintaining its strategic autonomy along with the secondary goal of pursuing its strategic interests. From a cold war perspective, India was able to sustain its non-align stance and avoided including in any rivalry between US and USSR furthermore Non-alignment movement has also been used as a balancing tool in Indian foreign policy in maintaining a balanced relationship with major powers like US, Russia, and China. During the 1971 war with Pakistan India received support from Russia while at the same time, it maintained diplomatic relations with the US helping them to gain their strategic interests without compromising their sovereignty. For instance, at the 2019 NAM summit, India lobbied for maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and called for a rule-based and just international system that respects the rights of all states. This reflects India’s commitment to greater self-autonomy and resisting external pressure in the conduct of their foreign policy matters
In addition to promoting a just international system. India uses NAM as a tool for economic interests. For example, at the 2016 NAM summit, India emphasized on greater south-south cooperation, particularly in the domain of trade and investment. A portrayal of India’s vision of creating economic relations beyond the traditional power blocs and promoting a more resilient global economic order.
Keeping the non-aligned status from the early cold war times India has been able to create diplomatic and economic ties with other states as well taken into account the increased involvement of India in the G-77 groups of developing nations, which is promoting the interests of the developing nations on international forums like UN. Furthermore, in the course of their foreign policy objectives, it had focused on creating diplomatic and trade relations with African countries under the banner of increasing south-south cooperation which focuses on promoting trade, investments, and cultural ties such as portrayed by the Indian-African forum summit 2021. India has also shown interest in deepening and widening relations with Asian, Latin American, and middle eastern countries. With its already persisting strong diplomatic relations with Iran, “The Chabahar Agreement” in 2016 was signed between Afghanistan, India, and Iran. Which is inclined on economic cooperation providing strategic transit routes to central Asia and Afghanistan which is a potential market for India. India is also actively participating in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) regional chapter in pursuit of building cordial relationships with the Southeast Asian states. In pursuit of increasing its global power as ASEAN is a platform providing insight into regional security dynamics and their solution.
NAM has been a crucial part of India’s foreign policy goals and became a cornerstone of establishing relations with other states. Since the cold war, the policy of non-alignment has benefited India in many ways averting any rivalry and keeping friendly relations with both the communist as well as the capitalist bloc and also paving ways for India to create new relations with other countries keeping in mind their interests. India has also maintained a balanced relationship with the superpowers. For example India chose neutrality in the UNSC voting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine keeping in mind the dynamics of their relations with Russia. Non-alignment movement has helped India in advancing its goal of a multipolar and democratic global order by implementing the non-alignment policy.
India’s engagement with Africa through Non-alignment movement:
Economic cooperation and development in Africa to strengthen its relations with African nations, which is fueled by introducing multiple projects in the domain of technology, medicine, and education which comprises Pan African E-networking projects which provides tele-education and telemedicine services to African developing states. Cooperating on shared security issues and development through the Indian-African forum summit. An estimated 10 billion $ line of credit and investment has been implemented for the developmental projects and create economic interdependence for mutual growth was initiated in 2018.
Though some argue that Indian economic investments in Africa and the increase in diplomatic relations are merely for the purpose of resource extraction and have not done little to promote sustainable development and growth, others have criticized India’s increased engagement with Africa through Non-alignment movement as being motivated by self-interest.
India’s Stance on the Non-Proliferation Treaty:
India’s historical experiences and the pursuit of strategic autonomy have impacted its views on the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Since the NPT separates the world into nuclear haves and have-nots and upholds the supremacy of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, India has long claimed that it is discriminatory. Some people have criticized India for not signing the NPT, claiming that India’s pursuit of nuclear weapons has made the area unstable and led to nuclear proliferation. India has countered this claim by claiming that having nuclear weapons is essential for national security and acts as a deterrence to prospective attacks.
Through a number of efforts, such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, India has endeavored to interact with the international community on nuclear problems. A worldwide no-first-use nuclear weapons pact has also been suggested by India, which has also advocated for the formation of a nuclear weapons-free world.
India’s position on the NPT has often been a divisive topic in international relations, with some contending that it hampers attempts to prevent nuclear proliferation globally and others contending that it constitutes a legitimate pursuit of national security and strategic autonomy.
Future of NAM as a policy tool for Indian foreign policy:
India’s foreign policy benefited greatly from Non-alignment movement, especially during the Cold War. However, there has been discussion over the NAM’s applicability in modern times as the world order has changed. NAM must change to reflect the shifting dynamics of the international system. India has highlighted the need of reviving Non-alignment movement in light of this requirement for adaptability. Engaging with emerging nations like China and Russia, who have traditionally not been a member of the movement, is one way the NAM might adapt. India has pushed for a more open-minded NAM that takes into account the shifting international landscape. NAM can also concentrate on topics like technology, sustainable development, and climate change. which have become increasingly relevant in contemporary times.
India can utilize the NAM platform as a member to promote causes vital to its foreign policy goals, such as counterterrorism, regional stability, and economic growth. India may use NAM as a forum to discuss topics of shared interest with other nations.
Through Non-alignment movement, India may collaborate with other developing nations to create a more just and equitable global framework. NAM’s capacity to adjust to the shifting global order will determine its continued viability as a vehicle for Indian foreign policy. India has argued for a more inclusive and issue-based NAM because it understands the necessity for it to be relevant. India may make use of the NAM platform as a member to further its goals and encourage South-South cooperation.
Conclusion:
For more than 60 years, the Non-Aligned Movement has been an important aspect of Indian foreign policy. Due to its founding membership and leadership, India has been able to use NAM to advance global causes that are significant to it while also pursuing its own national objectives. India has developed links with other developing-world nations through NAM and has been able to protect its interests globally. The Non-alignment movement has undergone various alterations throughout time, reflecting changing worldwide political dynamics. Further, Non-alignment movement had incorporated new concerns at their policy structure to level up with the changing dynamics of the global system which includes human rights matters, environmental stability, and economic well-being through cooperation. Furthermore, it had always been useful in the pursuit of Indian foreign policy objectives. It will be crucial for the future to keep in mind the changing dynamics of the world where India is moving towards regional hegemony, the resurgence of Russia, emergence of China as an economic giant. Still, there are possible prospects of the evolution of NAM as the world changes in order to remain relevant, though its significance for India and other developing nations is undeniable.
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