Question

Explain the nature of non-alignment.

Answer 1

1. After the Second World War, without joining either Soviet Russia’s allied group or America’s allied group, India adopted the policy of development by its own efforts and to shape its own strategies leading towards peace. This policy is known as ‘NAM – Non-Aligned Movement’.
2. The nations, which adopts an independent foreign policy based on the concept of peaceful coexistence, supports other nations in their independence struggle and does not involve themselves in the military agreements or bilateral treaties with the superpowers is known as ‘NonAligned Nations’.
3. In 1961 a conference of non-aligned nations was called at Belgrade. Belgrade Conference was the first summit of the Non-Alignment Movement. Representatives of 25 countries were present for this conference.
4. The next conference of non-aligned countries was held in October 1964, in Cairo (Egypt). Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri attended this conference. The third conference of the non-aligned nations was held in September 1970, at Lusaka (Zambia).
5. In this conference it was decided that nonalignment countries strengthen their unity; continue the policy of opposing military treaties, insist on equal status in international relations and attempt to enhance disarmament.
6. The fourth Conference of the non-aligned nations was held in 1973, at Algiers (Algeria). This conference, put up some demands, such as, developing a new economic system and establishing a system of reporting international news.
7. The conference of non-aligned nations held at New Delhi was the 7th one. India’s Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi in her speech at this conference emphasised on ‘Freedom, Development, Disarmament and Peace’.
8. In the conference held in 1986, at Harare (Zimbabwe) a fund named ‘Africa Fund’ was raised for providing necessary aid to neighbouring nations of South Africa.