Background to Non Alignment Policy:

1. Indian National Movement was a part of the worldwide struggle against colonialism and imperialism. India's struggle influenced the liberation movements of many Asian and African countries. There was communication between the nations who were united in their common struggle against colonialism and imperialism.

2. Due to vast size, location and power potential, Nehru envisaged a major role for India in world affairs, particularly in Asian Affairs.

3. Throughout the 1940s and 50s, Nehru had been an ardent advocate of Asian unity. Hence, under his leadership, India convened the Asian Relations Conference in March 1947 in New Delhi. Later India supported the Indonesian struggle for freedom from the Dutch colonial regime by convening an international conference in 1949.

4. India was an ardent supporter of the decolonization process and in firm opposition to racism, particularly the apartheid in South Africa. The Afro Asian Bandung Conference 1955, marked the Zenith of India's engagement with the newly independent Asian and African Nationals. The Bandung Conference later led to the establishment of the NAM. The first Summit of the NAM was held in Belgrade in September 1961.

Former U.S.A. secretary of state, John Foster Dulles criticised the non-alignment movement with the charge of "immoral neutrality". Nehru refuted this by saying that Non alignment meant having the freedom to decide each issue on its merits, to understand what was right or wrong, and then take a stand in favour of right. By not tying India to anyone bloc, non- alignment enabled India to develop economic ties with countries on both sides of the divide. India could thus acquire, as per the need, capital, technology, machines and food from the Western countries. On the other hand it could rely on Soviet Union, after 1954, for building heavy industries in the public sector when The United States was reluctant to do so.