22-Jun-2025 02:00 PM
Category: Prelims – Current Affairs & Events
70 Years of Bandung: A Turning Point for the Global South
Context and Historical Background
In 2025, the world commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, a groundbreaking diplomatic gathering held in Indonesia in 1955. This moment in history brought together 29 newly independent nations from Asia and Africa—nations that had recently broken free from the yoke of colonialism.
At a time when the global stage was dominated by Cold War rivalries between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, these countries sought to chart a different course—one of peace, cooperation, and self-determination. The Bandung Conference marked a bold assertion of their collective identity and ambitions. It was not just a meeting; it was a declaration that the voices of the formerly colonized could no longer be ignored.
The Purpose of the Bandung Conference
The main objective of the conference was to unite decolonized nations around shared challenges and goals. Delegates came together to:
Strengthen Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation,
Condemn all forms of colonialism, imperialism, and neocolonialism,
Promote mutual respect and peaceful coexistence,
Discuss how to collectively resist becoming pawns in the Cold War power struggle.
The conference was visionary. It recognized that these nations, though diverse in history, language, and culture, shared common ground in their struggle for dignity and equality.
Birth of a Movement: The Road to Non-Alignment
Although the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) wasn’t officially born in Bandung, the spirit of the conference laid its foundations. The NAM would be formally established in 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, but its philosophical roots trace back to Bandung.
NAM became a platform for developing nations to assert their independence from the Cold War superpowers. Its founding leaders included:
Sukarno (Indonesia)
Jawaharlal Nehru (India)
Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt)
Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana)
Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia)
Today, NAM is the second-largest international grouping after the United Nations, with 120 member states and a mission of promoting peace, sovereignty, and development.
The Ten Principles of Bandung
The conference adopted a set of core values known as the Ten Principles of Bandung, or Dasasila Bandung. These principles emphasized:
Respect for human rights and the UN Charter,
Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations,
Equality of all races and nations,
Non-interference in internal affairs,
The right of self-defense,
Avoidance of bloc politics and coercion by powerful countries,
Peaceful resolution of disputes,
Rejection of force or threats in international relations,
Promotion of mutual interests and cooperation,
Adherence to justice and international law.
These ideals still echo in global diplomacy today.
Conclusion: Why Bandung Still Matters
The Bandung Conference was more than just a historical milestone—it was a powerful symbol of global solidarity among newly freed nations. In a world once again facing polarized politics and emerging power blocs, the principles of Bandung remind us of the importance of unity, dignity, and cooperation. As we reflect on 70 years of Bandung, its legacy continues to inspire efforts toward a fairer, more multipolar world.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. When was the Bandung Conference held?
A) 1961
B) 1945
C) 1955
D) 1970
Answer: C) 1955
2. What was a key objective of the Bandung Conference?
A) Promote Western alliances
B) Encourage colonial cooperation
C) Strengthen Afro-Asian solidarity
D) Expand NATO membership
Answer: C) Strengthen Afro-Asian solidarity
3. Which of the following was NOT one of Bandung’s Ten Principles?
A) Equality of nations
B) Peaceful coexistence
C) Military alliances
D) Respect for sovereignty
Answer: C) Military alliances
4. Which leader was NOT a founder of the Non-Aligned Movement?
A) Josip Tito
B) Jawaharlal Nehru
C) Winston Churchill
D) Sukarno
Answer: C) Winston Churchill
5. Which city hosted the first NAM conference?
A) Bandung
B) Belgrade
C) New Delhi
D) Cairo
Answer: B) Belgrade
