Major achievement of Indo-USSR relation during the Cold War:

India's relations with the USSR (Russia) have been cordial since the day India became independent. Following are the fields of IndoUSSR relation :

1. Political field: In the political field, Russia proved extremely friendly to India whenever there was a war with Pakistan: Russia came to our help. Soon after the Bangladesh war in 1971, India entered into a treaty of friendship and co-operations with Russia for 20 years.

2. Cooperation in the Economic field: Two big steel plants of India-The Bhilai SteelPlant and the Bokaro Steel Plant were set up with the technical assistance and collaboration of Russia. Besides, hundreds of Indian engineers were trained by the erstwhile USSR. Russia also helped us in establishing many heavy industries.

3. Scientific,Technological and Trade cooperation: The Russian Govt.has signed a 15 years agreement on further development of scientific and technological cooperation. Military supplies to India emerged as a prominent symbol of Indo-Soviet friendship. In 1962, just before the India-China war, the MiG (the fighter aircraft) deal was signed despite Chinese protest. The USSR replaced the British as the biggest supplier of fighter aircraft.

4. The Soviet Union hosted a meeting of leaders of India and Pakistan in Tashkent in January 1966 after the 1965 war.

5. In August 1971, the Soviet and the Indian leaders signed the historic Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation, the first of its kind that India had signed. The Treaty provided for immediate mutual consultations in case either country was attacked from outside. This clearly signalled Moscow's commitment to stand by India on the Bangladesh question.

6. India, in a way,reciprocated with support to the Soviet Union after it invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. India was restrained in its public statements. For India, the Afghanistan issue had been somewhat overshadowed by the virtual military alliance between Pakistan and the US.

7. With the coming to power of Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985, the Soviet foreign relations ewent through a sea change. The emphasis shifted to the need for mutually beneficial relations with the US and the West. His efforts to build a "Common European Home" undermined the importance of the developing world like India. This along with the Soviet/ Russian rapprochement with China led to a temporary downturn in Indo-Soviet relations.