The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation is a type of bilateral treaty in international law, serving as a comprehensive framework to govern and enhance relations between two sovereign states. It is a formal diplomatic instrument that establishes a long-term commitment to peace, mutual benefit, and collaboration across various fields.
A highly relevant example for India is the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation signed between India and the Soviet Union on August 9, 1971, in New Delhi by Foreign Ministers Swaran Singh and Andrei Gromyko. The treaty's origin was rooted in the escalating crisis in East Pakistan and the perceived threat of a hostile axis between the United States, China, and Pakistan. It solved the problem of India's strategic vulnerability by providing a powerful deterrent and a security shield.
The mechanism of such treaties is defined by key provisions, such as the commitment to immediate mutual consultations in the event of an attack or threat thereof, to take effective measures for security. The 1971 treaty also required each party to abstain from providing assistance to any third party engaged in armed conflict with the other. Furthermore, it stipulated that neither party would enter into a military alliance directed against the other. The treaty connected to the concept of non-alignment, with the USSR respecting India's policy while the treaty itself marked a strategic pivot in India's foreign policy.
The original Indo-Soviet Treaty had a duration of 20 years and was renewed for another 20 years on August 8, 1991. However, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it was replaced by the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of India and the Russian Federation, signed in January 1993, which maintained the foundation of the strategic partnership. This transition ensured the continuity of the political, economic, and military cooperation established by the 1971 agreement.