Meaning of non-alignment :
It means to stay away from any power bloc or military alliance of the world, and to adopt foreign policy, which remains active for peace and stability in world politics. This policy, on all serious international problems, stresses to adopt an independent, unbiased and objective approach to international problems. This policy is not the policy of neutrality, but a policy free from the complicated group politics of the world.
This policy favours peaceful and non-violent solution of international disputes. This policy empahsized to stay away from two powerful groups at the time of cold war. This policy, evaluating the merits and demerits of international problems, favours the objective decision. It emphasizes to maintain balance between opposite groups. This is not a policy to stay away from the complications of international politics, but a policy who gives meaningful contribution in world politics.
The role of India in non-alignment movement :
It can be clarified through following points :
- Founder member of non-alignment movement:
India has been the founder member of non-alignment movement. The credit of introducing the policy of non-alignment in international politics goes to India’s first P.M Pt. jawahar Lal Nehru. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru of India, with Tito of Yugoslavia and Naseer founded the policy of non-alignment. Sukarno of Indonesia and Yasser Arafata of Palestine cordially supported it. These five leaders were called the founders of nonalignment movement. As an active member. India always respected and supported this movement.
- Keeping itself away from superpowers :
During cold war, India kept itself away from the influence of U.S.A and Soviet Union and maintained its free existance.
- For world peace and stabilty to maintain active non-alignment :
India played a leading role in mediating between the groups led by USA and Soviet Union.
- Inspiring newly independent countries to join non-alignment movement :
As a leader of non-alignment movement, India inspired the newly independent countries who became free from the grasp of colonialism and wanting to stay away from of superpowers, to join this movement. Thus, India presented third alternative before the newly independent countries.
