Tag: non-aligned movement and west asia

The concept of non-alignment emerged during the Cold War. After the Second World War, the world was divided into two powers blocs-one led by the USA and the other by the erstwhile Soviet Union.

In 1949, another convention for Asian unity was held at New Delhi to discuss the Indonesian problems.

Non-alignment is the international policy of a sovereign state according to which it does not align itself with any of the power blocs.

After the Second World War, the world was divided into two powers blocs-one led by the USA and the other by the erstwhile Soviet Union. It was during this period that many independent countries in Asia and Africa decided not to join any of the two blocs and to remain non-aligned. Thus, non-aligned was the chief characteristics of awakening in Asia and Africa.

Jawaharlal Nehru highlighted the dangers posed by the hostility between the two power bloc in Asian unity conference. He also stressed the need for Asian countries to work for maintaining world peace.

The main features of non-aligned Country are:

• It is not aligned to any of the power blocs.
• It retains its freedom to take independent foreign policy decisions.
• It is opposed to any kind of military alliance like NATO, SEATO, Warsaw Pact, etc.

Factors responsible for Non-Alignment:

• Global tension caused by Cold War.
• Right of Independent judgement.
• Struggle against imperialism and neo-colonisation.
• Use of moderation in relations to all big powers.
• Restructuring international economic order.

The origin of the Non-Aligned Movement can be traced back to the Asian Relations Conference held in New Delhi in March 1947.

The Non-Aligned movement was formally launched at its first summit held in September 1961 at Belgrade in Yugoslavia.