How many nations today are actually internationally recognised as being “Neutral” (or non-aligned)?
For example, nations like Finland, India, Sweden and Switzerland were always in this category.
What nations are on this list today?
I’m no expert on this matter, but as far as I have always understood a neutrality is a very flexible state. You list India, I am pretty sure If there was an evil nation hell bent on world dommination, India would join with the good guys. They fought the Axis very well albeit as part of the Empire forces. However even without being part of the Empire I believe self interest and the greater good would have prevailed. Both the effective Axis powers (Sorry Italy) had designs of India and her vast resources. I know you are not asking about the past but in truth there are very few countries that are nuetral, self interest will surely come into play at some point. Being all alone is fine in principal but all countries will cosy up to one side in a war.
Ireland isl neutral, mind there will me some merchant sailors from WW2 that would probably argue.
In time of war, a country can be “neutral” with respect to the war simply by not fighting in it. In time of peace, a country is usually considered “neutral” if it doesn’t join one of the alliances that countries form to deter or fight (if necessary) the next war.
During the Cold War, the primary alliances included NATO, SEATO, the Rio Pact, and the Warsaw Pact. Countries which didn’t join any of these, such as Austria, Yugoslavia, and India, were considered neutrals with respect to the Cold War even though they may have fought in other conflicts (India, for example, fought several wars with Pakistan.)
Since the end of the Cold War, most of these alliances (NATO excepted) are history, and neutrality has less meaning. Traditional European neutrals such as Ireland and Austria still aren’t NATO members, but belong to other groups such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Union. See here for a good overview of the ambiguous concept of “neutrality” in today’s world.