Non Aligned Movement

Introduction  

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an international organization that represents the political, economical, and cultural interests of the developing world. The main purpose of the NAM was not to align directly with any of the power blocs – the Communist Bloc led by the USSR (Russia)and the Western Bloc led by the USA (America). After the Second World War many of the newly independent countries wished to preserve their independence and not to ally themselves with either of the power bloc.

The NAM was established in 1955 at Bandung in Indonesia with the signature of the head of the 29 newly formed states of Asia and Africa.

Objectives  

The objectives of the NAM was to keep the members away from joining either of the power blocs, disarmament, abolition of imperialism and colonisation, preserving their independence and solving their economic problems through mutual cooperation and promoting world peace.

Role of India  

India played an important role in the foundation, evolution and growth of NAM as India had been opposed to colonisation and imperialism. India along with other newly independent nations wanted to establish a new economic order that would be free from any foreign intervention. It also called for greater interaction between the developed and the developing nations. In 1983, India hosted the NAM Summit at New Delhi.