Context: Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, has died at the age 91.
What is “perestroika” and “glasnost ?
- Gorbachev’s desire to pull the USSR out of economic and social stagnation not only led to the collapse of the USSR but also ended the old war.
- But two words — “perestroika” and “glasnost” — will forever be associated with Gorbachev and, in essence, will be his legacy. Simply put, perestroika, means restructuring and glasnost means openness.
What was the Cold War?
- Division between Russia and western countries (the US and its allies, like Britain), which started in the 1940s and lasted until 1991.
- It was a war between two ideas and ways of ruling – communism (the east) and capitalism (the west).
- The Russians operated a communist state (from 1922 to 1991), while western countries like the US were capitalist countries.
- Throughout the Cold War, communist and capitalist nations tried to outdo each other, competing to develop the best technologies and weapons.
What was the contribution of Mikhail Gorbachev?
- introduced the policies of “glasnost” and “perestroika” which helped in freedom of speech and press and the economic expansion of the economy.
- Focused on Arms Reduction:
- Ended the Cold War: Resulted in the dissolution of the USSR into separate countries.
- Nobel Peace Prize: Efforts to end the Cold War between the US and USSR.
Mikhail Gorbachev‘s Relations with India ?
- Indian Connection:
- Gorbachev visited India twice, in 1986 and 1988.
- His objective was to extend his disarmament initiatives in Europe to Asia and to secure Indian cooperation.
- It was Gorbachev’s first visit to a non-Warsaw Pact country after taking over as leader of the Soviet Union.
- The then Prime Minister Rajiv hailed Gorbachev as a “crusader for peace”.
- His address to India’s Parliament during the visit received hyperbolic coverage in the Indian and Soviet press and was seen as a high point of Indian diplomacy.
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