This document reports on the visit by the Soviet premier, Alexsei Kosygin, to India in March 1979. The Indian leadership once again confirms its intention to retain close relations with Moscow irrespective of the future relationship with the US and China. During the visit a number of trade and scientific agreements are signed. The USSR expresses its readiness to cooperate in the nuclear field on the basis of peaceful use as laid down in the Indian-Soviet agreement of January 1979. Reacting to the Chinese threat and its perceived objective to gain a hegemonic position in Asia, India wishes to talk about the delivery of more sophisticated military equipment. The Soviet officials interpret Indian foreign policy as moving closer to the Socialist Bloc and joining Vietnam and Cuba in the formation of a ‘leftist wing’ in the Non-Aligned Movement.

This Soviet report on the results of Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko’s April 1977 visit to India encapsulates Moscow’s first impressions of the new Indian Government. The main issue of the Soviet-Indian talks was the maintenance of the close relations between the two countries. The Desai government promises strict adherence to the 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. The new Indian leadership also renewed the commitment not to weaponize its nuclear programme. With respect to China, Desai opposes any new initiatives to improve relations with Beijing.

Transcript of Prime Minister Shri Morarji R. Desai's speech to the Rajya Sabha on the reasoning behind India's refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in the United States

Transcript of Prime Minister Shri Morarji Desai's testimony before Rajya Sabha on the decision to no longer conduct peaceful nuclear explosions and to focus on more peaceful purposes.

Message sent from Adam Rapacki back to Moscow describing a talk with Jawaharlal Nehru. Notes that the Indians expressed interest in expanding economic relations with Poland. Also notes that he accepted the Ceylonese invitation for Polish officials to visit Ceylon.

Gang Ryang-uk and Indian Prime Minister Morarji Desai meet but fail to reach a consensus on Korean unification and the Kashmir issue.

Minutes of conversation between Aid to the Yugoslav State Secretary Milorad Pesic and Soviet Ambassador to Yugoslavia Ivan A. Benediktov regarding Yugoslav Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Nikezic's visit to India to discuss the Middle East crisis. The two leaders also discuss the opening of a direct communications line between Belgrade and Moscow.