Principles of the Non-Aligned Movement

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) brings together countries committed to making independent foreign-policy choices rather than subordinating themselves to a major-power bloc. Its foundational principles combine non-alignment with respect for sovereignty, non-interference, peaceful coexistence and opposition to colonial domination.

Historical and intellectual foundations

NAM developed during the Cold War, when newly independent countries sought to protect their freedom of action against competing power blocs. The Bandung Conference of 1955 helped articulate Afro-Asian solidarity and principles that influenced the movement; the first NAM summit was held at Belgrade in 1961.

• The movement drew on Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful coexistence articulated in the 1954 India-China agreement concerning Tibet.
• These principles sought to make relations among states rest on equality and cooperation rather than domination.

Sovereignty and peaceful coexistence

Panchsheel provides a concise expression of several principles central to NAM. Its five principles are:

• States should show mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.
• States should practise mutual non-aggression.
• States should observe mutual non-interference in one another's internal affairs.
• Relations should be based on equality and mutual benefit.
• States should pursue peaceful coexistence, despite differences in political and economic systems.

Independence without isolation

The defining commitment was independent foreign-policy judgement, especially freedom from military-bloc discipline during the Cold War. Non-alignment did not require identical policies among members or equal distance from every major power.

• Countries should assess international issues on their merits rather than automatically follow a bloc leader.
• Non-alignment is distinct from neutrality: it does not mean remaining outside every conflict or avoiding a position on international disputes.
• It is also distinct from isolationism, because NAM favours active international engagement, diplomacy and cooperation.

Peace, liberation and international equality

NAM's principles extend beyond avoiding bloc alignment to building a more peaceful and equitable international order.

• Opposition to colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination accompanies support for peoples' self-determination.
• International disputes should be settled peacefully, consistently with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
• Disarmament, especially nuclear disarmament, is important to reducing conflict and protecting development.
• Political independence should be reinforced by economic cooperation and efforts to reduce unequal relations between developed and developing countries.