State any four reasons for which the superpowers needed smaller states as allies.

OR

Mention two ways in which the Non-alignment policy of India served its national interests. Also, write any two bases on which this policy was Criticized.

The superpowers needed smaller states as allies due to the following reasons:

1. To gain from the resources such as oil and minerals

2. They wanted to have a location to spy on each other.

3. They wanted a territory from which they could launch the weapons and troops.

4. They wanted to secure economic support to pay for military expenses.

OR

The two ways in which the Non-alignment policy of India served its national interests are:

1. The policy allowed India to take international decisions that served its interest and not the interest of the superpower and its alliances.

2. India was able to balance one superpower over the other. If India felt that it was being ignored or pressurized by anyone of them. It would tilt to the other. None of the alliances could bully India.

The two ways in which the Non-alignment policy was criticized were:

1. It was called an unprincipled policy. India stayed on the safe side and did not focus on commenting on any international issue, in the name of protecting one’s national interest.

2. India was inconsistent and took many contradictory positions.