haya.Learning made clear
India and world peace: non-alignment, the UN and peacekeeping sheet
3-mark answer frame

What is non-alignment? How did it help the cause of world peace?

How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.

  1. 1 · Define it. Non-alignment meant not joining either Cold War military bloc, led by the USA or the Soviet Union, and judging each issue on its merits.
  2. 2 · Not neutrality. It was active and independent, not neutrality, non-involvement or isolation.
  3. 3 · India's role. India was its prime architect; Nehru, Tito and Nasser are seen as the founding fathers of NAM.
  4. 4 · Role in peace. It eased Cold War tension, protected the sovereignty of new nations and gave every member a voice in world politics.
  5. 5 · Close in one line. Non-alignment let new nations stay free and work for peace at the same time.

Scoring tip: Always add that non-alignment is not neutrality. Examiners treat this as a key point.