The Non-Aligned Movement
The Cold War era grouping of countries that refused to join either the US or Soviet bloc; Nehru was a founder.
What the paper can ask
- Precursors: Panchsheel (1954) and the Bandung Conference (1955); founders Nehru, Tito, Nasser, Sukarno, Nkrumah; the first summit followed in 1961.
- 120 member states; chairmanship rotates with the summit host. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- India hosted the 7th summit in New Delhi in 1983; the 19th was in Kampala, Uganda, in January 2024; Uganda chairs for 2024 to 2026 and Uzbekistan takes the chair for 2027 to 2029 and plans to host the 20th summit. (as of 2 Nov 2026)
- The 1979 Havana Declaration set its purpose: the independence, sovereignty and security of non-aligned countries.
Why exams ask
The first summit's city and year, the founders, Bandung versus the first summit, and the latest chair are asked.
The full story
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) brought together newly independent countries that wanted to stay out of the US and Soviet military blocs. Its ideas grew from the 1954 Panchsheel principles and the 1955 Bandung Conference of Asian and African nations, and its founders were Nehru (India), Tito (Yugoslavia), Nasser (Egypt), Sukarno (Indonesia) and Nkrumah (Ghana). With 120 members it is the largest grouping after the UN.
Test yourself
1.In which city was the first summit of the Non-Aligned Movement held in 1961?
Correct. The first NAM summit was held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, on 1 to 6 September 1961. Nehru was a founding leader.
Not quite. The first NAM summit was held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, on 1 to 6 September 1961. Nehru was a founding leader. It goes into your error book.