The Cold War (1946-1991) was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. Decolonization process that started after World War II resulted in the emergence of several new nations and both the US and Soviet Union, backed by their respective allies, competed intensively for influence over the new nations of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle-East. During the Cold War, the concept of the ‘Third World’ came into being. It referred to the group of countries that represented the third component in the operation and dynamics of a bipolar global balance. These Third World countries were mostly decolonized countries and were developing countries or low income countries. These countries remained non-aligned during the Cold War as they were apprehensive of both powers’ intentions. They also played a very important role of a buffer between the two blocs during the Cold War as:

• Newly independent countries: Many Third World countries had only recently come out of colonial rule and in the 1950s and 1960s, a number of nationalist leaders emerged in the Third World. These leaders wanted to build stronger, more developed countries. They also wanted to reduce the influence of foreign powers over their internal affairs.
• Non-alignment: These countries made a commitment to non-adherence to multilateral military pacts and independence from great powers or block influences and rivalries. Their non-alignment was one important factor, which reduced the intensity of the Cold War. The Non-Aligned Movement, of which India was a major leader, repeatedly advocated maintenance of peace and cessation of arms race.
• Neutral and sovereign functioning: Some Third World countries did not manage to grow peacefully and considerable tensions began to surface which forced the two super power blocs to spend energy and resources to diffuse growing discontent in these countries. This was because it was the strategy of super powers to attract these countries to follow their ideology of Capitalism or Socialism.
• Against imperialism and colonialism: The countries made the commitment to continue their struggle against imperialism in all its forms and manifestations including neo-colonialism, racism, foreign occupation and domination, disarmament etc.
• Peaceful coexistence: These countries desired peaceful coexistence among all nations and complete rejection of the use or threat of use of force in international relations. In the General Assembly, India submitted a draft resolution declaring that the use of nuclear weapons would be against the Charter of the United Nations and crime against humanity and should therefore be prohibited.

Between the periods of World War II in 1945 until 1991, both blocs used several tactics, economic, political and military, to woo the Third World and dominate the other bloc. But the non-aligned position of the ‘Third World’ helped them maintain their sovereignty and avert another world war.