Context:
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, “Those who forget history and do not learn from it are condemned to repeat it.” This remark, made during his 1948 speech in the House of Commons, was directed at his predecessor, who failed to adequately arm the country, making the Second World War inevitable.
Relevance:
GS2- Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests
Mains Question:
The Non-Aligned Movement must rejuvenate its commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty and resist the subtle encroachments of neo-colonialism. Discuss. (15 Marks, 250 Words).
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM):
- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which India co-founded in 1955, was established after the Second World War to protect countries’ sovereignty and integrity from colonial powers.
- In the 1950s and beyond, many nations gained independence from colonial rule and joined NAM, making it a significant force advocating for the freedom of its members during the Cold War.
- With skilled diplomacy, the most vocal member countries incorporated a “neutralist policy” into the organization’s charter.
- This policy encouraged member countries to resist the temptations and allurements from both the capitalist West and the communist East, choosing instead to follow a middle path and establish NAM as a “third formidable forum.”
- Nothing illustrates NAM’s role as a power broker more clearly than the “swing votes” at the UN, which were courted by both the East and West blocs. NAM provided support to former have-not countries.
- The proof is in the results: many countries refused to align with either bloc, demonstrating NAM’s strength as an independent entity.
- Despite this, Churchill seemed to believe that countries, including India, had not learned from history.
- He suggested that without a strong deterrent against colonialism, it could resurface in different forms over time.
Relevance of NAM Over the Years:
- After the Cold War, NAM’s relevance declined. Many foundational principles of the Movement were undermined.
- For instance, economic self-reliance was a key ideological stance against the aggression of multinationals and monopolistic companies.
- However, conflicting statements and diplomatic disputes among member countries suggested that NAM had strayed from its original path, casting doubt on its future.
- The fight against colonialism was far from over in the post-war period. NAM could not foresee the rise of neo-colonialism, which manifested through control by money, debt, and media.
- Colonialism was replaced by neo-colonialism, where countries were controlled through economic and media influence despite being independent in name. In this respect, NAM’s purpose remained unfulfilled.
- In the context of Britain, King Charles III, during his visit to Kenya, issued a profound apology for the oppressive actions of his predecessors in colonized countries.
- This significant historical statement clarifies the United Kingdom’s current diplomatic intentions, which aim to foster partnerships based on mutual respect.
- The anticipated free trade deal between the United Kingdom and India, likely to be implemented in the New Year, exemplifies this approach, promising to unite the two countries as equals.
The Other Side:
- In contrast, France, once a close competitor of Britain in establishing colonial dominance, has not shown similar remorse for its past actions. Instead, France continues to exercise neo-colonial control with audacity.
- France maintains influence in supposedly independent West and Central African countries by controlling two currencies, the West African franc and the Central African franc, used by 14 African countries.
- France’s mandate requires these countries to deposit 50 percent of their foreign assets in the French Treasury, making its intention to maintain economic hegemony clear.
- These nations have suffered under France’s exploitative economic practices for decades post-colonialism, with France leveraging its relationship with these countries to its advantage.
- The desperation of these nations—independent in name but not in reality—is evident. Over the past twelve months, nearly all French-speaking African countries have demanded the departure of French military, diplomats, and businessmen from their territories.
- France is engaged in similar oppressive activities in other parts of the world, where it daringly prevents further independence.
- For example, in 2021, the French territory of New Caledonia in the South Pacific experienced French interference as the last of three independence referenda was deliberately thwarted through security pressures.
- Paradoxically, France has extended its neo-colonial interests even to countries that were never part of its former empire. In the past two years, France has obstructed a peace process in the South Caucasus to favor Armenia, with whom it has an arms deal.
- French diplomats have publicly criticized Azerbaijan, Armenia’s neighbor, and have instigated the Armenian diaspora in France to pressure lawmakers to pass laws against Azerbaijan. They also left no stone unturned in maligning Azerbaijan in the French media.
- Coincidentally or not, Azerbaijan currently chairs the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). After assuming the chairmanship, Azerbaijan vowed to reclaim Nagorno-Karabakh, a quarter of its territory illegally occupied by Armenian forces for three decades.
- In a 44-day war against Armenia in 2020 and a 24-hour military operation in 2023, Azerbaijan succeeded in reclaiming its occupied territories. This outcome displeased France, which initially and unabashedly undermined EU-led peace negotiations.
Uganda Taking over the 2024 Chairmanship:
- In January 2024, Uganda will take over the chairmanship from Azerbaijan. However, Uganda faces challenges from neo-colonialist powers, who are pressuring the country to repeal a child protection law.
- These powers aim to introduce modern Western social norms into Ugandan schools, a move that the Ugandan people have outrightly rejected as socially and culturally demeaning.
- It is crucial for India to support Uganda—an independent nation and fellow NAM member—and to denounce this unwarranted interference in its education system.
Conclusion:
With NAM experiencing a revival in a new incarnation, it is imperative for all its members, including co-founder India, to unite and form a cohesive group to combat the encroachment on sovereignty and resources by neo-colonialists from both Western and Eastern blocs. If NAM members do not intervene now, the growing influence of these neo-colonial powers will make the world poorer, less safe, and more prone to conflicts. Therefore, Churchill’s advice to learn from history remains highly relevant in these modern times.
