Panchasheel
The Panchsheel doctrine, a.k.a Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, emerged from
discussions between India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and China's Premier Zhou
Enlai in the 1950s.
These principles were intended to guide relations between the two countries and were
later adopted in various international forums.
1. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty: emphasizes
the importance of recognizing and respecting the borders and sovereignty of each
nation, aiming to prevent territorial disputes and conflicts.
2. Mutual non-aggression: Countries should not use force or aggression against each
other. This principle advocates for peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes
through dialogue and diplomacy rather than military means.
3. Non-interference in each other's internal affairs: Nations should respect the
sovereignty of other nations and avoid meddling in their internal affairs. This
principle supports the idea of each nation having the right to determine its own
political, economic, and social systems without external interference.
4. Equality and mutual benefit: This principle calls for relationships based on equality
and mutual benefit in terms of trade, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. It
promotes partnerships that are not exploitative but rather aim to enhance the well-
being of both parties.
5. Peaceful coexistence: Nations should strive to live together in peace and harmony,
fostering friendly relations and cooperation while resolving differences through
peaceful means.
Non Aligned Movement
Non-Aligned Movement was formed during the Cold War as an organization of States
that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the United States or the
Soviet Union, but sought to remain independent .
The basic idea of NAM originated in 1955 during Asia-Africa Bandung
Conference held in Indonesia.
The Non-Aligned Movement was founded and held its first conference (the Belgrade
Conference) in 1961 under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal
Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and
Sukarno of Indonesia
Objective of NAM
to ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of
non-aligned countries" in their struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-
colonialism, racism, and all forms of foreign subjugation.
"create an independent path in world politics that would not result in member States
becoming pawns in the struggles between the major powers
right of independent judgment, the struggle against imperialism and neo-colonialism,
and the use of moderation in relations with all big powers
Principles of NAM
Respect for the principles enshrined in the charter of the United Nations and
international law.
Respect for sovereignty, sovereign equality and territorial integrity of all States.
Peaceful settlement of all international conflicts in accordance with the charter of the
United Nations.
Respect for the political, economic, social and cultural diversity of countries and
peoples.
Defense and promotion of shared interests, justice and cooperation, regardless of the
differences existing in the political, economic and social systems of the States, on the
basis of mutual respect and the equality of rights.
Respect for the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence, in accordance
with the charter of the United Nations
Non-interference in the internal affairs of States. No State or group of States has the
right to intervene either directly or indirectly, whatever the motive, in the internal
affairs of any other State.
Promotion and defence of multilateralism and multilateral organisations as the
appropriate frameworks to resolve, through dialogue and cooperation, the problems
affecting humankind.
Achievements of NAM
Decolonisation
o NAM actively supported liberation movements across Africa, Asia, and Latin
America, contributing to the independence of countries like
Algeria, Angola, Mozambique, and Namibia.
o crucial role in ending the Vietnam War and securing Vietnamese
independence in 1975.
Fighting Apartheid
o NAM declared apartheid a crime against humanity and called for international
sanctions against South Africa. It played an important role in ending apartheid
and the establishment of a democratic South Africa.
Disarmament and Nuclear Non-Proliferation
o NAM called for a complete ban on nuclear weapons testing as well as in the
conclusion of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
o NAM advocated for nuclear-weapon-free zones in different continents.
South-South Cooperation
o Creation of Group of 77 (G-77) within the NAM to promote collective action
and bargaining power for developing countries.
o NAM advocated for South-South cooperation in areas like trade, technology
transfer, and sustainable development.
New International Economic Order
o NAM pushed for a New International Economic Order (NIEO) to address the
economic inequalities between developed and developing countries
Reforms in Institutions of Global Governance
o NAM has called for greater representation for third world countries in
institutions like United Nations Security Council
Issues with respect to NAM
Lack of Internal Unity : Could not prevent India-Pakistan and Indo-China wars
Inability to stay away from Bloc Politics
Inability to enforce decisions: NAM has no mechanism to enforce its decisions,
relying on member states' voluntary compliance
Limited economic power: NAM's economic influence is limited compared to major
economic powers and blocs.
Dependence on individual leaders: NAM's success has often depended on the
charisma and leadership of individual leaders, rather than institutional strength
Inadequate response to crises: NAM has been criticized for its inadequate response
to global crises, such as human rights abuses and conflicts
Relevance of NAM
Promotion of Sovereignty and Independence
o NAM upholds the principle of non-alignment, advocating for the sovereignty
and independence of member states.
o In an era of Neo-Colonialism, great power rivalry and geopolitical
competition, NAM provides a platform for countries to maintain their
autonomy and resist pressures to align with major power blocs.
Support for Multilateralism and International Law
o NAM emphasizes the importance of multilateralism in global governance,
promoting the role of the United Nations and other international organizations
in maintaining peace, security, and development. It advocates for adherence to
international law and norms, particularly concerning territorial integrity,
human rights, and non-interference in internal affairs.
Advocacy for Global South Issues
o addresses issues such as economic inequality, development assistance,
technology transfer, and fair trade practices, which are crucial for sustainable
development of its member states.
Voice for the Global South
o NAM provides a collective voice for developing countries on the global stage,
influencing international discourse and policies that affect their interests.
o It seeks to address inequalities in global governance structures and advocates
for reforms that ensure equitable representation and decision-making.
Contemporary Challenges
o NAM has adapted to address new and emerging global challenges, including
climate change, terrorism, cyber threats, and public health crises like the
COVID-19 pandemic.
o It continues to advocate for coordinated international responses that prioritize
the needs and vulnerabilities of developing countries
Wars
o Non-Aligned Movement remains a relevant forum for fostering solidarity
among developing countries and advancing their collective interests in a
multipolar world. It serves as a platform for cooperation, dialogue, and
advocacy on issues of global importance, contributing to a more inclusive and
balanced international order.
Gujral Doctrine
The Gujral Doctrine, formulated by India's former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral in the
1990s, outlines a set of principles and guidelines for India's foreign policy,
particularly towards its immediate neighbors. This doctrine emphasizes goodwill,
trust-building, and regional cooperation as essential elements to foster peace and
stability in South Asia.
1. India does not seek reciprocity but offers assistance to its neighbors.
2. No South Asian country should allow its territory to be used against the
interest of another country.
3. No country should interfere in the internal affairs of another.
4. All South Asian countries must respect each other’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty.
5. All disputes must be settled through peaceful bilateral negotiations.
Challenges to Gujral Doctrine
Various challenges faced while implementing the Gujral Doctrine are the following:
o Intra- Regional issue: South Asia is the least integrated region globally, accounting
for less than 5% of all trade (World Bank report).
o Chinese Influence: The Belt and Road plan has increased China’s footprint in the
region, and growing security concerns frequently override the logic of better regional
connectivity.
o Economic slowdown: The current slowdown in the Indian economy has meant that
India is less willing to open its market to its neighbors further.
o Security issues: India’s borders become transmission belts for security threats such as
cross-border terrorism, contraband trade or drug trafficking.
o Delays: Poor resources make development cooperation a weaker component of
India’s neighborhood policy. Kaladan Multimodal Project, as an illustration.
o Hostile neighbor: November 2008 Mumbai attacks reflected the weakness of this
doctrine: that ‘inherent goodwill’ may not work with openly hostile neighbors.
Neighbourhood First Policy
India's "Neighbourhood First" policy is a foreign policy initiative aimed at prioritizing
relations with its immediate neighbors in South Asia. It was articulated to strengthen
economic ties, enhance regional connectivity, and promote stability and security in the
neighborhood. Here are the key features and objectives of India's Neighbourhood First
policy:
1. Enhancing Bilateral Relations: The policy emphasizes building stronger and more
cooperative bilateral relations with neighboring countries including Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. It seeks to address historical
and contemporary issues through dialogue and cooperation.
2. Development Cooperation: A significant aspect of the Neighbourhood First policy is
India's commitment to providing development assistance and economic cooperation to
its neighbors. This includes infrastructure projects, capacity-building initiatives, and
grants aimed at fostering economic growth and social development in the region.
1. India’s LOC to its neighbours increased from USD 3.3 billion in 2014 to USD
14.7 billion in 2020
3. Connectivity Initiatives: India promotes connectivity initiatives such as road, rail,
and air linkages, as well as digital connectivity projects to facilitate easier movement
of goods, services, and people across borders. These initiatives are designed to
enhance economic integration and regional cooperation.
4. Security Cooperation: The policy places importance on enhancing security
cooperation with neighboring countries to combat terrorism, transnational crime, and
other security challenges. This includes intelligence-sharing, joint military exercises,
and capacity-building in border management and maritime security.
5. Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: India's Neighbourhood First policy
emphasizes promoting cultural exchanges, educational scholarships, and tourism
initiatives to strengthen people-to-people ties and foster mutual understanding among
the peoples of South Asia.
6. Regional and Multilateral Engagement: India actively engages in regional forums
such as SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and BIMSTEC
(Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) to
address common challenges and promote regional integration. It also participates in
multilateral initiatives that benefit its neighbors.
7. Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Assistance: India provides timely humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief to its neighbors during natural calamities and
emergencies, showcasing solidarity and goodwill in times of need.
8. Strategic Outreach: Beyond South Asia, India's Neighbourhood First policy extends
to its extended neighborhood including countries in the Indian Ocean region and
beyond, promoting a comprehensive approach to regional security and stability.