India and world peace: non-alignment, the UN and peacekeeping
India works for world peace through non-alignment, which it helped shape, and through strong support to the United Nations, including its peacekeeping work.
Objectives of India's foreign policy since independence
- Freedom to make its own policy decisions.
- Promotion of international peace and security.
- Good relations with other nations, especially neighbours.
- Support to the United Nations.
- Disarmament, and opposition to colonialism, imperialism and racism.
- Cooperation among developing nations.
What non-alignment means
After the Second World War, the world split into two camps. The western bloc was led by the USA and the communist bloc by the Soviet Union. Their rivalry without direct war was the Cold War. It lasted about 45 years, and the world became bipolar, centred on two powers. Non-alignment meant not joining either military alliance and keeping independence in foreign affairs. It was not neutrality, non-involvement or isolation. A non-aligned country took an independent stand on each issue, on its merits. India was the prime architect of this policy.
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
- Nehru, Tito of Yugoslavia and Nasser of Egypt are regarded as its founding fathers. Its first summit met in Belgrade in 1961.
- It brought together newly independent countries that refused to follow the dictates of their former colonial rulers.
- It was anti-imperialist and gave every member, big or small, a voice in world politics.
- It helped developing countries protect their sovereignty and freedom of action in the tense Cold War years.
Is NAM still relevant after the Cold War?
In an exam answer, give at least three reasons why NAM is still relevant.
Support to the United Nations and peacekeeping
- For India, the UN is the main means of keeping world peace and security and of bringing about peaceful change.
- India was one of the 51 original members of the UN in 1945. It supports the UN's work for peace and disarmament.
- UN peacekeeping sends troops and police from member countries to help keep the peace in areas of conflict. India has taken part in many such missions since the 1950s.
- India wants the UN to help countries settle differences through talks, and to play an active role in the development of poorer countries.
- The Security Council has 5 permanent members with a veto (the power to block a decision): the USA, UK, France, Russia and China. Its other 10 members are elected for two years.
- Reform to expand permanent membership is under discussion. India's case for a permanent seat rests on its size, its large economy, its leadership of developing countries and its peacekeeping record.
Indian soldiers, police and medical teams have served in UN peacekeeping missions abroad, including all-women police units. India still values making its own choices in foreign affairs, an idea rooted in non-alignment.
3 marks: “Why did India adopt the policy of non-alignment? Give three reasons.” (1) To keep its independence in foreign affairs by not joining either Cold War bloc. (2) To judge each international issue on its merits and work for world peace. (3) To protect the sovereignty and freedom of action of newly independent, developing countries.
6 marks: “How has India supported the United Nations? Why should India be a permanent member of the Security Council?” Opening: India sees the UN as a vehicle for peace. Points: (1) one of the 51 original members; (2) support for peace, security and disarmament; (3) troops and police for UN peacekeeping; (4) pressing for an active UN role in the development of poorer countries; (5) case for a permanent seat: size, large economy, leadership of developing countries and peacekeeping record; (6) Security Council reform to expand permanent membership. Close: a reformed Council should reflect today's world.
1 marks: “Name the three leaders regarded as the founding fathers of the Non-Aligned Movement.” Jawaharlal Nehru, Josip Broz Tito and Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Non-alignment is not neutrality: India picks the issue, not the camp.