The presented research project aims to fill in the gap of in-depth studies on the cultural and academic aspects of the relations between India and the Soviet Union. The historical period examined has as its protagonist Indira Gandhi during her first (1966-1977) and second term (1980-1984) as prime minister. In this historical moment in which India seeks redemption after the defeat suffered against China in 1962 there was a qualitative and quantitative leap in relations between India and the Soviet Union on a political, economic, military and cultural level determined by convergence of interests of the two countries. Even though India was untouched by the proxy wars of Cold War era, it became an active ground for ideological and political battles between two superpowers. At the same time, Indira Gandhi proved her ability to use the weapons at her disposal to curb and channel the support of the USSR for the achievement of her political goals. The cultural interaction between the two countries, which started in the years of Jawaharlal Nehru, expanded considerably during the premiership of Indira Gandhi as the collaboration in all fields grew constantly. The cultural relations between Indian and the Soviet Union constituted an important and crucial part of Indo-Soviet relations as they reflected power struggles among Indira Gandhi, her staunchest ally the Communist Party of India and the Soviet leadership. This research framed in the historical context of Cold War aims to analyse how bilateral cultural exchange influenced the political and economic relations of India and the Soviet Union. Even though, Indo-Soviet relations offers myriad angles for research, the topic is quite neglected in the field of contemporary history. This research would require an extensive work with various primary sources. As the topic of research arouse interest abroad, the possibility to participate in conferences and receive feedback from other academics would be highly appreciated.
The originality of this research lies in the fact that in-depth studies on the cultural and academic aspects of Indo-Soviet relations are few, partial and incomplete. Many studies on the history of the Cold War action in every corner of the world neglect the cultural policies hidden in the ideological battle. Even though lately the number of studies on the Cold War effects in the third world are growing, India remains a country whose contemporary history is not studied sufficiently.
This research in its character is interdisciplinary. Thus, this factor enables and compels me to gain new competences. Crucial for the research is historical approach, which requires the critical analysis of archive material of the period considered. Apart from the methods used in historical analysis, this type of research requires the introduction of different concepts belonging to the field of cultural and public diplomacy, both of which will allow to frame the extensive historical material. My previous studies were largely rooted in the study of language and culture of Indian subcontinent. My current research topic requires me to gain proficiency in the fields of diplomacy and international relations. Even though, this research aims to analyse Indian sources in particular, there is a necessity to work on the sources in Russian language whose proficiency I am intended to gain. On May, 2019 I conducted a research trip to Cambridge, United Kingdom. During my permanence I worked on the papers of senior archivist for foreign the Soviet Union¿s foreign intelligence service, Vasili Mitrokhin. Besides, I gained access to the library of the Centre of South Asian Studies, University of Cambridge.
This academic year 2019-2020 I had an opportunity to consult the archives and collections of Nehru Memorial Museum&Library in New Delhi, India. During this research trip, I worked with personal papers of prominent Indian political figures closely related to Indira Gandhi. The papers of her principal advisors T.N. Kaul (1913-2000) and P.N. Haksar (1913-1998) allowed me to investigate in detail the political and economic relations between India and the Soviet Union. Particularly revealing were the notes to Prime Minister of D.P. Dhar (1918-1975), Ambassador of India to the Soviet Union and later Minister for Planning of India. Another figure whose papers I was interested in was S.A. Dange (1899-1991), Chairman of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and one of the founding members of the Party. During the premiership of Indira Gandhi, this political party made an important alliance with the ruling Congress (R). The Papers of K.P.S. Menon (1898-1982), third Indian ambassador to the USSR and long-time president of Indo-Soviet Cultural Society, gave some more information about concrete cultural projects, activities and the personalities involved in. The Papers of Romesh Chandra (1919-2016), an active member of the CPI and the Secretary of World Peace Council, though not very detailed, were generous of names of his collaborators.
Apart from the material found in the Nehru Memorial Museum&Library I have been working on the documents present in the Wilson Center's Digital Archive. This digital archive is part of larger Cold War International History Project and allows scholars and interested public to investigate Cold War and contemporary history legacies.
Furthermore, this academic year I presented my research in international PhD student workshop Asian and North African Studies in a Globalized and Interconnected World held on 6/7 February, 2020 at Istituto Italiano di Studi Orientali (Sapienza, University of Rome).
Besides, this year I sent a proposal to participate in the cycle of seminars in Contemporary International History (HY510) co-organized by The Cold War Studies Project at LSE IDEAS, the Department of International History at LSE, and the Centre d'histoire de Sciences Po in Paris. My paper India¿s strategic friendship: Indo-Soviet relations during the premiership of Indira Gandhi was selected by the seminar conveners at London School of Economics.
Finally, at the beginning of this academic year I got in touch with Routledge publishing house and was requested to write a formal proposal for Routledge Cold War in Asia series. I submitted my proposal for short form Focus books, but later on was asked to consider a longer publication of at least 60,000 words. By mutual agreement, we decided to put any publication on hold as my research was in its early stages and I was asked to get back to Routledge again this fall with revised proposal.