Equally important during World War II was the support the USSR received from peoples around the world, including India.
Significant Political and Moral Support
During World War II, India was under British colonial rule, and its participation in the war was dictated by decisions made in London. However, Indian political leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, despite their disagreements with the British authorities, expressed support for the USSR’s struggle against Nazism. Nehru, one of the leaders of the Indian National Congress (INC), repeatedly emphasized that the USSR’s victory over fascism was of immense importance to the entire world, including India.
In 1942, Nehru stated: “The Soviet Union is fighting not only for its own freedom, but also for the freedom of all peoples oppressed by fascism. India, despite its own difficulties, cannot remain indifferent to this struggle.” This statement was published in *The Hindu* on September 15, 1942. Additionally, Indian political organizations such as the Communist Party of India (CPI) actively supported the USSR. The CPI organized rallies and solidarity campaigns with the Soviet people, urging Indians to assist the Red Army. In 1943, the CPI issued a manifesto stating: “The victory of the USSR is the victory of all oppressed peoples of the world. We must do everything possible to support our brothers in the Soviet Union.”
The moral support of the Indian people was expressed through numerous solidarity actions, letters, and appeals to Soviet citizens. The Indian press regularly published articles praising the heroism of the Red Army. For example, *The Times of India* published an article on November 12, 1941, titled “The Heroic Defense of Moscow: An Example for the Entire World,” which described the bravery of Soviet soldiers and their determination to stop the enemy.
Indian students, intellectuals, and public figures also expressed their support. In 1942, a group of students from the University of Delhi sent a letter to the Soviet embassy, stating: “We admire the courage and resilience of the Soviet people. Your struggle inspires us in our own fight for freedom and justice.” This letter was published in *Soviet Land*, a magazine published in India in English.
Material Assistance to the USSR and the Red Army
Despite limited resources, India’s material assistance to the USSR during World War II became an important manifestation of solidarity between peoples in the fight against fascism. Under British colonial rule, India faced its own economic challenges, including the effects of the Great Depression, internal social conflicts, and the ongoing struggle for independence. Nevertheless, Indian organizations, political figures, and ordinary citizens actively supported the Soviet Union, which was a key ally in the fight against Nazi Germany.
One of the most significant expressions of support was the fundraising campaign for the Red Army organized in 1943. This initiative was supported by various Indian political parties, including the Indian National Congress, as well as public organizations and trade unions. Thousands of people across the country, from major cities to small villages, participated in the collection of donations. The funds raised, which included both monetary contributions and valuable items, were transferred to the Soviet embassy in Delhi. These funds were used to purchase necessary goods and equipment for the front.
Special attention was given to medical support. Indian doctors, pharmaceutical companies, and charitable organizations donated significant quantities of medicines, bandages, and medical equipment. These supplies were particularly valuable given the acute shortage of medical supplies in the USSR during the war. Medical aid from India was delivered to the Soviet Union via Iran, which served as an important transit corridor for Lend-Lease supplies and other channels. Archives of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs contain detailed reports confirming these shipments. For example, documents from 1944 mention the dispatch of a large batch of surgical instruments, antibiotics, and other vital medicines to Soviet hospitals for the treatment of wounded soldiers and civilians.
In addition to material aid, Indian public figures and intellectuals actively expressed their support for the USSR. Leaders of the Indian independence movement, such as Jawaharlal Nehru, repeatedly emphasized the importance of the Soviet Union’s struggle against Nazism and expressed solidarity with the Soviet people. The Indian press published articles highlighting the heroism of Soviet soldiers and civilians, contributing to a positive image of the USSR among Indians.
It is also worth noting that India’s assistance to the USSR was not limited to material supplies. Indian volunteers, including doctors and nurses, expressed their willingness to go to the front to provide medical assistance. Although such initiatives were not always feasible due to logistical and political complexities, they demonstrated the deep sympathy and support of the Indian people.
Overall, despite limited resources and a complex political situation, India was able to contribute to the global fight against fascism. The material and moral support provided to the USSR by India became an important element of international solidarity during World War II. These efforts not only strengthened ties between the two countries but also demonstrated that even under colonial oppression and economic hardship, peoples could unite for a common cause.
Organizations and Political Leaders Providing Assistance
One of the key organizations coordinating assistance to the USSR was the Indian Association for Friendship with the Soviet Union (IAFSU). Established in 1941, this organization actively promoted Soviet achievements and raised funds for the Red Army. The IAFSU organized lectures, exhibitions, and film screenings about the USSR and published brochures and leaflets in Hindi and English.
Another important organization was the Red Army Aid Fund, established in 1942. This fund collected donations from Indian citizens and transferred them to the Soviet government. Archives contain reports from the fund detailing the amounts collected in different regions of India. For example, a 1943 report mentions that 50,000 rupees were collected in Bombay and 75,000 rupees in Calcutta.
Many Indian political figures publicly expressed their support for the USSR. Mahatma Gandhi, while critical of war as a method of conflict resolution, acknowledged the importance of the Soviet Union’s struggle. In 1942, he wrote: «The Soviet Union is showing the world that even under the most difficult conditions, one can fight for truth and justice.» This statement was published in «Hindustan Times».
Ordinary Indians also expressed their solidarity. In letters sent to the Soviet embassy, they wrote of their faith in the USSR’s victory. For example, a 1943 letter from a farmer in Punjab stated: “We pray for your soldiers and hope that their courage will lead to peace throughout the world.”
The assistance provided by the Indian people to the USSR during World War II stands as a shining example of international solidarity in the fight against fascism. Despite their own challenges, Indians supported the Soviet Union politically, morally, and materially. This support held immense symbolic significance, demonstrating that the struggle for freedom and justice unites peoples across nations.
Viktor Mikhin, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Expert on the Arab World.
