India has played a crucial role in maintaining Afro-Asian unity by:
1. Leadership in the Bandung Conference (1955): India, along with other newly independent nations, organized the Bandung Conference, which led to the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), aiming to unite Afro-Asian countries against colonialism and imperialism.
2. Support for African Independence Movements: India consistently supported the independence struggles of African nations and provided moral and political support for movements in countries like South Africa and Algeria.
3. Advocacy for South-South Cooperation: India has emphasized the importance of economic and political cooperation among developing countries, particularly in the Global South, to foster collective growth and development.
Thus, the correct answer is (b).