Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation
Early relations between India and the Soviet Union were initially marked by ambivalence. After gaining independence, India, under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, adopted a non-aligned foreign policy, focusing on cooperation within the Commonwealth of Nations. However, in February 1954, a significant shift occurred when the United States, under President Dwight Eisenhower, announced military aid to Pakistan. This development alarmed India as it heightened the potential military capabilities of its neighbor and made Pakistan a member of both the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) and Central Treaty Organization (CENTO). These alliances not only provided Pakistan with advanced military hardware but also increased economic aid, creating a strategic disadvantage for India....