Consequences of Disintegration of the Soviet Union: The disintegration of the Soviet Union as the Second World Power and the collapse ofsocialist systems in Eastern Europe had profound consequences for world politics in general andAsian countries like India can be analyzed in the way of three kinds of enduring changes like:The End of the Ideological dispute: The disintegration of Soviet Union meant the end of the cold war confrontation and theend of cold war confrontation signifies collapse of the ideological conflict between socialist andcapitalist. Now there is no alliance system on ideology. As the alliance system led to theformation of military blocs, so the end of confrontations demanded the end of the arms race andrestoration of possible peace.Emergence of Multi-polar System: With the disintegration of USSR, the end of the cold war left open only two ofpossibilities like either the remaining superpower would dominate and create a ‘Uni-polarSystem’ or different countries or groups of countries could become important players in theinternational system, there by bringing in a ‘Multi-polar system, where nobody’s power coulddominate. As it turned out, the US became the sole super power. Backed by the power and prestigeof the US, the ‘capitalistic economy’ was now the dominant economic system internationally.Institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund [IMF] became powerfuladvisors to all these countries since they gave them loans for their transitions to capitalism.Politically, the nation of liberal democracy emerged as the best way to organize political life.The End of the ideological disputes followed by the end of Arms RaceEmergence of Multi-polar System.

The Emergence of new Independent Countries: The end of the “Soviet Bloc” meant the emergence of many new countries because at thedawn of the disintegration of USSR, Soviet Union divided into 15 independent countries. Allthese countries had their own independent aspirations and choices. Thus, the international system saw the emergence of many new players, each with itsown identity, interests, and economic and political difficulties.Shock Therapy in Post – Communist Refines: The ‘Shock Therapy’ was the ‘State of Affairs’ which signifies the collapse ofcommunism followed by a painful process of transition form an authoritarian socialist system toa democratic capitalist system. The model of transition in Russia, central Asia, and East Europewas influenced by the World Bank and the IMF.Consequences of Shock Therapy: The shock therapy administered in the 1990s did not lead the people in to the promisedutopia of mass consumption. Generally, it brought ruin to the economics and disaster upon thepeople of the entire region. In Russia, the large state – controlled industrial complex almostcollapsed, as about 90 percent of its industries were put up for sale to private individuals andcompanies. Since the reconstructing was carried out through market forces and not bygovernment –directed industrial policies. It led to the virtual disappearance of entire industries.This was called ‘the largest garage sale in history’ as valuable industries were undervalued andsold at throwaway prices. Though all citizens were given vouchers to participate in the sales,most citizens sold their vouchers in the black market because they needed the money.Conclusion: The old system of social welfare was systematically destroyed. The withdrawal ofgovernment subsidies pushed large sections of the people into poverty. The middle classes werepushed to the periphery of society, and the academic and intellectual manpower disintegrated ormigrated. A mafia emerged in most of these countries and started controlling many economicactivities. Privatization led to new disparities. Post – Soviet states, especially Russia, weredivided between rich and poor regions. Unlike the earlier system, there was no great economicinequality between people.India and the Post – Communist Countries: India has maintained good relations with all the post – communist countries. But thestrongest relations are still those between Russia and India. India’s relations with Russia are animportant aspect of India’s foreign policy. Indo-Russian relations are embedded in history oftrust and common interests and are matched by popular perceptions. 

Common view on the multipolar world order: Russia and India share a vision of multi-polar world order. For both these countriesmulti-polar world order is the coexistence of several powers in the international system,collective security, greater regionalism, negotiated settlements of international conflicts, anindependent foreign policy for all countries and decision making through bodes like the UN thatshould be strengthened, democratized and empowered.India’s stand towards Russia: India gets meaningful benefits for having healthy relations with Russia on the issues likeKashmir, energy supplies, Sharing information on international terrorism, access to central Asiaand balancing its relations with China.Russia’s Stand towards India: Like India, Russia stands to benefit from this relationship because India is the secondlargest arms market for Russia. Besides, India military gets most of its hardware from Russia.Since India is an oil importing nation, so Russia is important to India and has repeatedly come tothe assistance of India during its oil crisis. Thus, we may conclude that India has maintained good relations with all the post –communist countries. But the strongest relations are still those between Russia and India.