The October Revolution & 70 Years of Indo-Soviet Relations -Edited by Vinod Bhatia

The Great October Socialist Revolution of 1917 is 70 years old. The Soviet Union
has emerged in these years as a mighty global power, with a positive foreign policy and a solid socio-economic base.
The Soviet Union and the socialist world community have also been the only countervailing forces which had the capacity to check the excesses of American imperial power.Soviet decisions to preserve the independence of the newly-free countries, to prevent the
return of the imperialists, to actively support the national liberation movements in spite of its diverse forms and content, and to help the newly-free nations with economic assistance – all
these have been of great significance in the shaping of the course of history in the subsequent years. The relevance and
scope of that policy are by no means exhausted today.Indo-Soviet relations were built brick by brick. Every trial was crowned with confidence and mutual trust. But these were not without a strong foundation. Indeed, the Socialist
Revolution in Russia and the Indian freedom movement, born in different contexts and circumstances, and carried out in a different way, formed an integral
part of the tide of history against
imperialism and for the creation of a better world order.Today, as the Soviet people and their friends mark the 70th anniversary of the Revolution, it is apt to recount the history of Indo-Soviet relations as they have developed over the years.The papers presented in this volume by leading specialists provide a variety of perceptions on Soviet policies as well as on Indo-Soviet relations. And they tell a story of convergence of interests of the socialist community and the newly – emerging nations in peace, development and a just world order.The world today also wants to know what is the future of socialism, and one can only quote the great Lenin, the founder of the Soviet state. He said: “We have made the start.When, at what date and time,and the proletarians of which nation will complete this process, is not important. The important thing is that : the ice has been broken, the road is open, the way has been shown.”Socialism continues to inspire the peoples of the world as an
ideal and ideology.