Today, 50 years ago the historic Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation was signed in New Delhi.

This strengthened India’s hands immeasurably in the tense and crucial months to follow during the war with Pakistan and the liberation of Bangladesh.

The Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko initially planned to return to Moscow via Pakistan after signing the Treaty.

Indira Gandhi asked a message to be conveyed to him that in that case he needn’t bother to come. Gromyko came, signed and returned to Moscow directly.

I have brought out the archival material on this Treaty in my book Intertwined Lives: P.N. Haksar and Indira Gandhi

Jairam Ramesh – MP, Former Union Minister