NAM Should Advance Goals of Global South

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• The Minister of State for External Affairs said that the Members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) should harness the initiative to advance the aspirations of the Global South.
  • He made the statement at the 19th NAM mid-term ministerial meeting and said the members of NAM should “re-purpose” the movement.

Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

• Bandung Conference (1955): The concept of non-alignment was formulated during the Bandung Conference, where newly independent nations sought to avoid entanglement in the Cold War’s ideological divide.
• It was inspired by three world leaders: Nehru of India, Tito of Yugoslavia and Nasser of Egypt. 
• Belgrade Summit (1961): The first NAM summit in Belgrade formalized the movement, emphasizing support for self-determination, national independence, and opposition to colonialism and imperialism.
• Ten Bandung Principles:
  • Respect for fundamental human rights, and the Charter of the United Nations.
  • Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
  • Recognition of the equality of all races and nations.
  • Non-interference in internal affairs of another country.
  • Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself, singly or collectively.
  • Abstention from the use of arrangement of collective defense to serve the particular interests of any of the big powers.
  • Mutual non-aggression.
  • Peaceful coexistence and settlement of disputes.
  • Promotion of mutual interests and cooperation; and
  • Respect for justice and international obligations.
• Governance: It has an informal governance structure, lacking a permanent secretariat, constitution, or budget.
  • Its governance is based on rotational leadership and decisions are made by consensus.
• Expansion and Structural Changes: 
  • Membership Growth: Starting with 25 members in 1961, NAM has expanded to include over 120 member states, representing nearly two-thirds of the United Nations. 
  • Jakarta Declaration (1992): The 10th NAM Summit in Jakarta adopted the Jakarta Declaration, which laid out future priorities, including enhancing South-South cooperation and addressing common issues like poverty, foreign debt, and population growth.

Relevance of NAM

• Platform for the Global South: NAM represents developing countries, giving them a collective voice in international forums like the UN, WTO, and climate negotiations.
• Addressing North-South Divide: NAM highlights issues of economic inequality, foreign debt, poverty, and technology access.
  • Encourages South-South cooperation to reduce dependency on developed countries.
• Maintaining Strategic Autonomy: Even in a multipolar world, NAM allows member states to avoid being forced into military or strategic blocs.
  • Supports independent foreign policy and non-alignment with major power rivalries.
• Promoting Peace and Conflict Resolution: NAM continues to advocate for disarmament, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and decolonization.
• Economic and Development Cooperation: NAM’s focus has shifted from purely political to economic development, trade, and technology sharing.

Challenges and Limitations

• Declining Relevance Post-Cold War: After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the bipolar global structure disappeared, reducing NAM’s original strategic purpose.
• Diverse Membership: Includes over 120 member states with varying political, economic, and strategic interests.
  • This diversity often makes consensus difficult, especially on critical issues like conflicts or global policies.
• Limited Enforcement Capacity: NAM decisions are non-binding, based on consensus and moral authority rather than legal obligations.
• Relevance in a Multipolar World: In today’s multipolar global order, new alliances like BRICS, G20, and regional blocs play a larger role.
  • NAM’s traditional political influence has diminished, especially in security and defense matters.

Significance of NAM for India

• Strategic Autonomy: NAM allows India to maintain an independent foreign policy without being tied to any major power bloc.
• Platform for the Global South: Provides India a forum to voice concerns of developing countries on global platforms like the UN and WTO.
• Promoting Peace and Security: NAM helps India advocate for disarmament, conflict resolution, and peaceful coexistence.
• Support for Global Governance Reforms: India leverages NAM to push for reforms in the UN Security Council and international institutions to enhance representation of developing nations.
• Balancing Global Power Dynamics: NAM provides India flexibility in engaging major powers without formal alignment.
• Historical and Diplomatic Credibility: India’s founding role in NAM strengthens its diplomatic influence and reinforces its image as a responsible leader of the Global South.

Conclusion

• The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has evolved in structure and purpose since its inception, but now faces an existential crisis due to emerging global coalitions and rapid technological changes. 
• While NAM’s Cold War-era role has changed, it remains relevant as a platform for the Global South, promoting economic cooperation, strategic independence, and addressing inequality in global politics.

Source: TH