The non-aligned movement (NAM) was largely a product of India’s efforts under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru.

This effort was aimed at organising a collective answer to ‘block politics’ of the great power in international affairs. It also aimed to develop friendly relations among the countries who were trying to free themselves from colonial dominations. The basic thrust of the movement was in favour of peace, disarmament, development, independence, eradications of poverty and illiteracy.

As one of the biggest world powers, the United State of America has played a highly important role in modern international affairs. She sympathised with India in her freedom struggle and was firmly in favour of India attaining independence.

The relations between India and the U.S. fluctuated heavily over the years. It took little interest in this region, till the rise of communism in China. The U.S. promptly announced assistance to India during the Sino-India conflict. But the differences between the two countries continued because of certain factors, one of these being the support and military aid which the U.S. gave to Pakistan.

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The U.S. also supported Pakistan on Kashmir issue in the Security Council. It also wanted India to gain military alliances sponsored by the U.S. The differences in Indo-America perceptions became widespread on many international issues. While India opposed, as per the norms of the NAM, colonialism of all kinds, the U.S. opposed colonialism only when the independence movement was not dominated by communist forces.

Wherever national movements were dominated by the Communist forces, the U.S. A preferred to remain neutral or supported the colonial power. India’s recognition of People’s Republic of China and its constant efforts to seek China’s admission in the United Nations further embittered the relations between the two. In spite of these differences. India continued to receive aid from the U.S. in economic and technical fields.

During the Indo-China war of 1962, the US offered prompt military assistance. Eisenhower and Kennedy visited India during this period. Despite all these gestures, India did not choose to support the “containment policy” of the US and remained non-aligned.

The Soviet Union had supported India’s struggle for independence. On almost all international issues the Soviet Union has been in agreement with India, and on matters concerning India, the attitude of the Soviet Union has been helpful. Nehru’s foreign policy was really appreciated by the Soviet Union.

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He immediately recognised the People’s Republic of China. India’s support to anti-colonial struggle at the United Nations had gradually brought these two countries closer. India also made efforts to establish ceasefire in Korea and refused to brand people Republic of China as aggressor. The most important policy that made the friendship stronger was its refusal to be a part of alliance against the USSR.

On the Kashmir question, the Soviet Union extended firm and steady support to India. An important Indo-Soviet Trade Agreement was concluded on December 2, 1953. At the invitation of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Nehru paid a visit to the Soviet Union.

Nehru and Bulganin the Prime Ministers of the Soviet Union issued a joint Statement on June 23, 1955, affirming their profound faith in the five principles of Pancha Sheel, in the need for disarmament and for true coexistence.

Its essence, they stated, was that “States of different social structures can exist side by side in peace and concord and work for the common good”. In response to an invitation by Nehru, Bulganin and Khrushchev and other official representatives of the Soviet Union, visited India in November 1955. Their visit was followed by a Joint India Soviet Statement in which faith in the principles of Pancha Sheel was reaffirmed.

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They also issued a Joint Communique on Economic Relations expressing “the desire of the two countries to develop econbmic co-operation and expand trade relations”. The USSR Supreme Soviet passed a Resolution on December 23, 1955 on the visit of Bulganin and Khrushchev to India, Burma and Afghanistan to approve their activities as being in full accord with the peace-loving foreign policy of the Soviet Union and as contributing to international peace, friendship and co-operation.

The succeeding years have been marked by “consolidation and enlargement” of India Soviet friendship. There was another Indo-Soviet trade agreement on 16th November, 1958.

A Joint-Soviet Statement was issued on February 6, 1960, in which both sides expressed their gratification at the development of relations between India and the Soviet Union in a spirit of goodwill and friendship as a result of their common peaceful coexistence and active pursuit of peace.

They stressed the importance of disarmament as an essential prerequisite to permanent and lasting peace and to the banishment of the fear of war.

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The Soviet Union supported India on the Goa issue. During the Suez Crisis, the Soviet Union and India took up a similar stand to condemn aggression. The Soviet Union provided $ 500 million for the Third Five year plan and supplied oil when the western companies were unwilling to do so.

In 1962, when the Chinese invaded India the Soviet Union not only expressed sympathy for India but helped India to manufacture MIG Fighter Planes. The Soviet leaders expressed their support for Indian policy of non-alignment and peaceful coexistence.