NEW DELHI, 09 August 2021, (TON): The Soviet Union and India signed a treaty of peace, friendship and nonaggression. The essence of the treaty was its provision that in the event of attack or the threat of attack there would be immediate mutual consultations. Each side also undertook to refrain from giving assistance to any third party taking part in armed conflict with the other party.

These clauses not only assured the prospect of Soviet assistance and support in the event of war. The Indo-Soviet Treaty had a far-reaching consequence for the Bangladesh war. Thereafter, the USSR began to show a clearer pro-Bangladesh tilt.

The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Andrei A Gromyko of the Soviet Union and Swaran Singh, the Indian minister for external affairs, at a five'minute ceremony. Then, Gromyko met with India Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Gromyko arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a hurriedly arranged visit to demonstrate Soviet support of India in its worsening dispute with Pakistan over the Pakistan army's suppression of the independence movement in Bangladesh.