Question 8.
What were the major consequences of the disintegration of the Soviet Union for countries like India?
Answer:
The major consequences of the disintegration of the USSR upon countries like India were:
• In the economic area, financial aid from Soviet to India almost dried due to the disintegration of the USSR. This was also one of the reasons for balance of payments crisis of India in 1991.
• Bilateral trade between USSR and India largely deteriorated after the disintegration. However, now it is in a better position.
• Multipolar system was preferred over a bipolar system, after the Second World War, where no single power could prevail and dominate over another. In such a situation, NAM countries (countries that accepted and were a part of the Non Aligned movement) could play an important role in world politics, of which India was also a part.
• Although India had always been a non aligned state, it was more inclined towards USSR and had friendly relations with it. India and USSR had a healthy trade of economic and military goods. USSR was like a ‘parent state’ to India. Therefore, in cold war when USSR was defeated, not only did it weaken the soviet but also cast its weakening effect upon India and its security and strategic interests were badly impacted.
