A non-aligned posture also served India’s interests veiy directly as well as India intervened in world affairs to soften cold war rivalries by reducing differences between the alliances and from escalating into a full scale war.
Though India’s policy of nonalignment was criticised on a number of counts:
1. India’s non-alignment was said to be Unprincipled’ in the name of pursuing in national interest.
2. India often refused to take firm stand on crucial international issues.
3. Sometimes India took contradictory postures, having criticised others for joining alliances, India signed the Treaty of friendship in August 1971 with the USSR for 29 years.
4. During Bangladesh crisis India developed good relations even with the US in the name of diplomatic and military support.