Context:
70th Year of the Bandung Conference
Bandung Conference (1955):
- Held in Bandung, Indonesia
- Attended by 29 newly independent Asian and African nations.
- Organized by Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Burma (Myanmar), and Sri Lanka.
- Objectives –
- Opposition to Colonialism & Imperialism – Condemned Western dominance.
- Promotion of Afro-Asian Cooperation – Strengthened solidarity among developing nations.
- Economic & Cultural Collaboration – Encouraged trade and cultural exchanges.
- Peaceful Coexistence – Advocated for neutrality in the Cold War.
- Key Outcome – Inspired the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961.
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM):
- Established in 1961 at the Belgrade Summit.
- Founding leaders: Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia), Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt), Sukarno (Indonesia), and Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana).
- Aimed to maintain independence from both the USA and USSR blocs during the Cold War.
- Principles of NAM –
- Peaceful Coexistence – Avoid military alliances.
- Sovereignty & Independence – Protect national interests.
- Economic Development – Promote self-reliance and cooperation.
- Anti-Colonialism & Anti-Racism – Support liberation movements.
- Disarmament & Global Peace – Advocate for nuclear disarmament.
- Current Status – 121 member countries (as of 2025).
Source: IE
Previous Year Question
With reference to “Look East Policy” of India, consider the following statements:
1. India wants to establish itself as an important regional player in East Asian affairs.
2. India wants to plug the vacuum created by the termination of the Cold War.
3. India wants to restore the historical and cultural ties with its neighbours in Southeast and East Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2011 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)