The ties between the people inhabiting the present day India and the Soviet Union go back to the pre-christian era. In those ancient times people of the two centuries had forged vital commercial and cultural links. Excavations in Soviet CentralAsia have uncovered the remains of Buddhists Stupas, Statues and paintings representing a harmonius synthesis of Indian and local traditions. The Russian traveller Afanasy Nikitin came to India in the 15th century and left valuable records of his experience. the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Indian struggle for freedom left a deep lasting impression on the people of the two countries.

The correspondence between Mahatma Gandhi and Tolstoy reflected the esteem in which the leaders and intellectula of the two countries had each other. India nad the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations in 1947. In its industrial modernisation India received invaluable understanding and co-operation from the soviet Union. The industrial cities of Bhilai, Ranchi, Durgapur, Haridwar, Bokaro, Visakhapatnam, etc are visible symbols of Indo-Soviet friendship in the form of modeern industrial establishments. Important instances in te development of our relations have been the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Co-operation in August, 1971 and the Delhi Declaration on the principles foe a Nuclear Weapon free and non-violent worl signed in November 1986. India and the Soviet Union have stood by each other in their hours of need. The Indian people regard the Soviet people as reliable friends.

Indo-Soviet friendship demonstarted to the world how two people with different social systems can establish a firm relationship of understanding and mutual benefit and also work for a larger universal cause- a common cause of peace. Further in the direction of mutual understanding and co-operation,the Soviet Union and India embarked on a joint venture in the field of stamp issue. Both countries held a competition among children below the ageof 17 years in the second half of 1989 for designing a stamp. Indian children were to design a stamp on a Russian theme and reciprocally, Soviet children were to design a stamp on an Indian theme.

The stamps now being issued are the first prize winners of the two competitions.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India