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.
Key facts
- 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; the 20th is due in Uzbekistan in 2029. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- The 1979 Havana Declaration set its purpose: the independence, sovereignty and security of non-aligned countries.
Why exams ask about it
The first summit's city and year, the founders, Bandung versus the first summit, and the latest chair are asked.
Pakka yaad trick
Bandung (1955) planted the idea; the Movement's first summit came six years later, in 1961. B before M: the trailer before the film.