From the Vantage Point: India and Russia.

Since I have taken birth, and gained conscience, I can say that, deep inside I respect Russia. Well this feeling can be reflected by many people inside India. In fact according to a survey 45% Indian says positive things about Russia or Russian Federation. And 78% in Russia or Russian Federation feels positive about India.  

Most of us know Russia because of the support she had provided since India gained independence. But the friendship lies deep with in diverse culture of India and Russia. These two countries enjoy the close friendship, strategic partnership in key areas, and good business across sectors.

It was in late 15^th century when first Russian named Afansasy Nikitin, who was a merchant arrived in Indian Subcontinent and published his travelogue. In 17^th century Indian Businessmen settled in Astrakhan, from where they traded goods across Russia. And from there onwards the trade picked up between two countries, but it soon led to clashes in Modern Day Afghanistan where British Empire and Russian Empire had clashes and disputes over trade and territory.

The great Bolshevik revolution, which also consist of an appeal of Bolshevik leaders to world against Colonial rule had a deep impact over India’s Struggle of freedom. Moreover Lenin was also interested in India, which is evident from his Collected Works, which contains observation on India from 1900-1903.

His exact words in which he praised the Indian Freedom Movement.

“I am glad to hear that the principles of self-determination and the liberation of oppressed nations from, exploitation by foreign and native capitalists, proclaimed by the ‘workers’ and peasants ‘Republic' have met with such a ready response among progressive Indians, who are waging a heroic fight for freedom. The working masses, of Russia are following with unflagging attention the awakening of the Indian workers and peasants. The organization and discipline of the working people and their perseverance and the solidarity with the working people of world are an earnest of ultimate success. We welcome the close alliance of Moslem and non-Moslem elements. We sincerely want to see this alliance extended to all the toilers of the East. Only when the Indian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Persian end Turkish workers and peasant, join hands and march together in the common cause of liberation only then will decisive victory over the exploiters be ensured. Long live a free Asia'.”

And in my opinion, this was the first step towards modern era of friendship between India and Russia. In 1918, The Commissariat of Foreign Relation of Soviet Russia released a Blue Book, which was on the condition of India under British Empire or British India. In the exact words of its editer K. M. Troyanovski

“There can be no general peace without a free independent India .... India is the center of Western activity in the east. India will, therefore, be the first fortress of the Revolution on the Eastern Continent. We, Russian Revolutionaries and inter-national Socialists, feel it our duty to rejoice at the announcement of a revolution in India but also to support this revolution by direct or indirect means and with art our powers.”

It establish the fact that Russia was helping India, even before we (general public) knows it. Moreover Mr. Nehru had great respect for Lenin which was evident in his policies, which was pro socialistic or I can say was almost socialistic in its approach (for more reference to Prime minister Nehru’s policies you can visit National Archives in Delhi).

In the report corresponding to the effect of October revolution in 1918, Secretary of State of India, Edwin Montague and Viceroy of India, Lord Chelmsford admitted that the freedom fighter of the country is inspired by the uproot of Czarist regime of Russia and consider the Soviet Russia as its Friend and not its Enemy.

The influence of Soviet Russia was continuing on Indian Political leadership in 1920’s and 1930’s as well. The visit of Mr. Nehru in to Russia on the occasion of 10^th Anniversary of Bolshevik Revolution proved fruit full as he was able to win the admiration of Russian Leadership. Mr. Nehru had a strong image of Russia, in to his mind and he considered Russia to be an Anti-imperialistic, and is a fortress against war and aggression, ignorance and obscurantism. From his maiden visit he concluded, USSR is a powerful country and it was in best interest of India to be Friendly with this country.  

In 1930’s Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore visited to Russia and he was impressed with the Russia and stated that Indian future depends upon USSR as it is fundamentally against the exploitation of Man by Man and state by a state.

In Second World War the heroic struggle of USSR inspired even Gandhi-ji, who wrote (from his collected works) as

“The Power of the Viceroy is no way less than that of the Czar. We, too, can resort to the Russian remedy against tyranny. The movement in Bengal for the use of Swadeshi goods is much like the Russian movement? Our shackles will break this very day if the people of India become united and patient, love their country and think of the well-being of their motherland disregarding their self-interest. The governance of India is possible only because there exist people who serve.  We also can show the same strength that the Russian people have done”

It has been evident through archives that despite of the offer made by the Indian National Congress to Britain about full support in War if and only if India be granted full freedom, Leaders have sympathy towards USSR and they relied on the constant support of USSR to work forward.

Also it should be noted that formally Indian and Russian Delegates first met in April 1945, in San Francisco Conference of UN. It was there when Vice- President of Interim Govt. Mr. Nehru expressed his interest in cultivating the friendly and favorable relations with both USSR and USA. But the response from US was cold. Also it was evident there itself that India was not going to be in any of the Sides of soon to be polarized world.

On 21^st September 1946, approx. 11 months before the Independence of India, PM Nehru forwarded a letter of formal Diplomatic ties to Moscow, on which a reply came back on October 2^nd, 1946 with warm and positive response.

Mr. Nehru then took the help of V .K. Krishna Menon and K.P.S. Menon (two seasoned Diplomats of India) to establish the Diplomatic relations with USSR. By November, 1946 Mr. Nehru got confirmation from Foreign Minister of USSR V. M. Molotov, for the same.

In April 1947, USSR formally announced the establishment of Diplomatic ties and Exchange of Diplomats, which was seen as approval of Indian Freedom policy.

Mr. Nehru appointed his sister Vijay Laxmi Pandit to be the first ambassador to USSR. On the eve of 15^th, August 1947, USSR greeted India with Freedom message and formally recognized the Indian Govt. and State.

So history tells us that even before common people know, leadership was already in talks with each other and there starts an era of Trust which is still working despite of recent heart-breaks.

In the coming parts of this series you would learn the betrayal of West and how USSR helped India to stand on its own feel.

It will include the Kashmir dispute as well.

Like always, I hope that (essay) was able to improve your knowledge or entertained you, if you feel bored you can always switch back to the Bollywood masala site or play games or kill a few corrupt politician.