Article summary
Abstract
This study examines the role of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the emergence, development, and institutionalization of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) during the Cold War era. It analyzes the historical, ideological, and strategic foundations of non-alignment and highlights Nehru’s contribution in shaping an independent foreign policy for newly decolonized nations. The paper argues that non-alignment was not merely a policy of neutrality but a comprehensive framework based on sovereign equality, strategic autonomy, anti-colonialism, peaceful coexistence, and independent decision-making. It explores the influence of domestic imperatives such as economic development, nation-building, and security concerns on India’s foreign policy choices. The study further evaluates Nehru’s leadership in major international forums, including the Bandung Conference, Afro-Asian solidarity initiatives, United Nations diplomacy, and nuclear disarmament efforts. Through an examination of key events such as the Congo Crisis and the Sino-Indian conflict, the paper assesses the practical challenges and limitations of non-alignment. The findings suggest that Nehru’s vision provided developing nations with an alternative diplomatic path amid Cold War bipolarity and laid the foundation for the principle of strategic autonomy that continues to influence India’s foreign policy. Despite criticisms and changing global realities, the intellectual and institutional legacy of Nehru within NAM remains significant in contemporary international relations.