Mariia N. Starikova

In the 1950s the Soviet Union was gradually establishing relations with many Asian and African countries, including India. A significant event in the life of the Soviet citizens was the VI World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow. In 1957 the “Iron Curtain” was lifted for tens of thousands of foreign visitors in the hope of attracting young people from the other countries. The VI World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow helped to create a positive image not only for the guests from the Western and highly developed countries, but for the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement. The festival was supposed to demonstrate the accomplishments of the Soviet Union in the field of science, culture and economy. The Moscow festival received the large delegation from India and showed the foreign guests, including students, the Soviet way of life. This festival not only had a propaganda effect, but also allowed to strengthen and expand links with many countries, including India. From the 1950s scientific, cultural and economic relations with India begin to improve. The festival allowed a large number of people to discover the socialist country. The article considers in detail the archival documents, that have not previously been used to examine the participation of the Indian delegation in the festival.