LIWA

Non-Aligned Movement

ICSE Class 10 · History & Civics · Chapter 21

What this chapter covers

Key definitions

Non-alignment is the policy of a country that refuses to join any military bloc or alliance led by a great power and keeps the freedom to judge every international issue on its merits.

Colonialism is the rule of one country over another territory and its people, usually for the economic benefit of the ruling country.

Neo-colonialism is the control of a formally independent country by a foreign power through economic pressure, loans, trade terms or political interference rather than direct rule.

Peaceful co-existence is the idea that states with different systems of government and beliefs can live together in peace, settling their differences by talks rather than by force.

Panchsheel is the name given to the five principles of peaceful co-existence that India and China agreed on in 1954 to guide relations between the two countries.

Key points

Questions answered

What was the Cold War? Name the two superpowers involved.
The Cold War was the long period of rivalry and tension, from the late 1940s to 1991, between the United States and the Soviet Union and their allies, carried on without a direct war between the two superpowers.
Name one military alliance of the Western bloc and one of the Eastern bloc.
Western bloc: NATO (or SEATO, or the Baghdad Pact/CENTO). Eastern bloc: the Warsaw Pact.
What is meant by non-alignment?
Non-alignment is the policy of not joining any military bloc or alliance led by a great power, while keeping the freedom to judge each international issue on its merits.
Why is non-alignment not the same as neutrality?
A neutral country takes no side and stays out of disputes, whereas a non-aligned country takes an active part in world affairs, condemning aggression, colonialism and racism whichever side is responsible.
When and where was the Non-Aligned Movement formally founded?
At the First Summit of Non-Aligned Countries, held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in September 1961.
Why is the Bandung Conference of 1955 important in the history of NAM?
It was the forerunner of NAM: it brought 29 Asian and African countries together against colonialism and adopted ten principles of peace that included Panchsheel.
State any three objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Any three of: to keep away from military blocs; to end colonialism, imperialism and neo-colonialism; to oppose racism and apartheid; to promote peace and peaceful co-existence; to work for disarmament; to protect the sovereignty of all nations; to promote economic development; to strengthen the United Nations.
What does the word Panchsheel mean, and between which two countries was it agreed?
Panchsheel means "five principles of conduct"; it refers to the five principles of peaceful co-existence agreed between India and China in 1954.

Past board exam questions

ICSE 2026 sample paper · 1 mark

Which of the following scenarios describes the Non-Alignment Policy (NAM)?

  1. A country forms a military alliance only with the United States.
  2. A country maintains relations with both factions during the Cold War and does not take sides.
  3. A country is part of a religious movement advocating non-violence
  4. A country aligns with the Soviet Union and receives military aid.
Show answer
A country maintains relations with both factions during the Cold War and does not take sides.

ICSE 2026 board paper · 4 marks

The United Nations Organisation and the Non-Aligned Movement emerged after the Second World War. With reference to these, answer the following questions: With reference to the Non-Aligned Movement, mention: (a) any two architects (b) any two objectives

Show answer
(a) Architects: Jawaharlal Nehru (India) and Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia) (also Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Sukarno of Indonesia, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana). (b) Objectives: 1. To keep away from the power blocs and military alliances of the Cold War. 2. To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination, and to work for world peace and disarmament. (Also: economic co-operation among developing countries.)

ICSE 2025 compartment paper · 1 mark

From the given descriptions of the Cold War, choose the odd one out.

  1. It was a consequence of the Second World War.
  2. Uneasy peace between the two countries.
  3. Division of the world into two power blocs.
  4. Two countries joined hands to fight Britain and France.
Show answer
Two countries joined hands to fight Britain and France.

ICSE 2025 compartment paper · 1 mark

Which of the following has influenced the objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement?

  1. NATO
  2. The Panchsheel
  3. SEATO
  4. The Warsaw Pact
Show answer
The Panchsheel

ICSE 2025 board paper · 2 marks

What is meant by the term Non-Alignment?

Show answer
Non-Alignment is the policy of not joining either of the two power blocs of the Cold War – the USA-led Western bloc or the USSR-led Communist bloc – nor their military alliances, and of judging each international issue independently on its merits while keeping friendly relations with all countries.

ICSE 2025 compartment paper · 2 marks

Name any two objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Show answer
1. To keep away from the power blocs and military alliances of the Cold War (NATO, Warsaw Pact) and follow an independent foreign policy. 2. To end colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination, and to promote world peace and disarmament. (Also: economic cooperation among developing nations and a New International Economic Order.)

ICSE 2024 sample paper · 1 mark

Which of the following scenarios describes the Non-Alignment Policy (NAM)?

  1. A country forms a military alliance only with the United States.
  2. A country maintains relations with both factions during the Cold War and does not take sides.
  3. A country is part of a religious movement advocating non-violence
  4. A country aligns with Soviet Union and receives military aid
Show answer
A country maintains relations with both factions during the Cold War and does not take sides.

ICSE 2024 board paper · 1 mark

Identify the principle of Panchsheel.

  1. Mutual non-aggression
  2. Regulate armaments
  3. Take action against aggressor
  4. Recommend admission of members
Show answer
Mutual non-aggression