Adrift & unanchored ambitions

Postcolonial Indian foreign policy and its nonalignment ideals were shaped by the internationalist values of the anti-colonial struggle—opposing all forms of colonial occupation, militarism, apartheid, neo-colonial economic policies, capitalist and imperialist hegemony.

- Bhabani Shankar Nayak

The term Non-Alignment was first used at the United Nations by India and Yugoslavia to describe their refusal to align with either side during the Korean War. This position later evolved into a global forum—the foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)—where India was not only a founding member but also provided vital leadership in promoting the principles of decolonisation, socialist development, democratisation, peace and solidarity.

NAM was not merely a stance against the bipolarisation of global politics into the imperialist power blocs of the Warsaw Pact and NATO, it was also a strong opposition to all forms of capitalist and colonial hegemony. As a global platform representing more than 55% of the world's population, NAM did not advocate for 'neutrality' in international affairs. Rather, it actively opposed colonial, capitalist, and imperialist structures, processes, and institutions, with the goal of promoting democratic development and economic prosperity grounded in peace and active opposition to wars and conflicts. These principles fundamentally shaped Indian foreign policy, aligning moral leadership with national interest in the realm of global politics.