India and Soviet Union- A Chronology of Political and Diplomatic Cooperation (An Old and Rare Book)

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Sri A. Roy has prepared an excellent chronicle of friendship and cooperation between India and Soviet Union for about the last four decades, or, to be more precise, from April 1945 to September 1982. It is a detailed day by day register of events labourously compiled and is sure to be of much help for not only the journalists and politicians but also the historians of both India and abroad, for whom the developments in this sphere are but reflections of hopes and aspirations of millions of people on the level of diplomatic relations between the two great countries. The importance of the chronicle is considerably enhanced by the Appendices giving the most important documents relevant for the main theme of the book. Added to these is a brief sketch of the earlier roots of Indo-Russian relations given in the Introduction- a sketch which can perhaps be made more detailed by more intensive historical research, though also extremely helpful for the readers in its present form. The need for such a book is long felt in various quarters and we cannot thank Sri Roy enough for the painstaking work he has produced.

FRIENDSHIP between India and the Soviet Union struck deep and wide roots. This friendship, deeply embedded in history and tradition, took on a qualitatively new complexion and character when, with the exit of British colonial power from this long-oppressed country, friendly relations between the two neighbouring peoples developed, for the first time, at the state level and rapidly blossomed into a comprehensive and vibrant cooperation in the bilateral as well as in the international field. Over the period since India achieved independence and the establishment of Indo-Soviet diplomatic relations in 1947, this friendship has weathered all storms, overcome all strains and stresses, and has emerged as a new type of relationship.

This relationship was further cemented, when in 1971 India was facing a real danger of foreign intervention, by the signing of Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Co-operation on August 9, 1971. The signing of the treaty laid a solid juridical foundation for relations between the two countries and broadened the basis of Indo-Soviet cooperation.

These many faceted Indo-Soviet friendship and cooperation are many splendoured things. These ensure golden harvest of peace, progress and prosperity, these hasten the dawn of a new era all over the world an era free from war and exploitation, an era of peace and happiness for the people.

How this Indo-Soviet friendship developed? How has this edifice has been built? What are the foundations of Indo- Soviet "garden of friendship"?

If we look back to the history of ancient times, we can see that, India had found a place in Russian legends and fables some 600 years ago, and the book The Relation About India or The Story of India the Rich is the testimonial of it. As close neighbours the Indian and Russian peoples know each other since times immemorial.