Moscow, Aug 9
The signing of a new treaty of “peace, friendship and cooperation” between the Soviet Union and India will inevitably invite comparisons with the treaty of “friendship and cooperation” signed last May with Egypt.

The main difference is that Russia has committed herself to “consult” with the Indians if their territory is attacked or threatened with attack, whereas in the case of the Egyptians, such consultations were to take place in case of a “threat to peace or a violation of peace”.

Both treaties are apparently emergency measures designed to emphasize Russia’s friendship with each of the two countries.

The purpose of the Indian treaty seems to be more specific: to warn Pakistan and China that Russia takes her commitment to India seriously, and will give her the necessary aid if she is attacked.

Such commitments are not given lightly, and Mr Gromyko has doubtless emphasized to his hosts that the Soviet Union will expect India to behave responsibly and avoid all possible causes of an armed conflict with Pakistan.

The difference between Soviet policy in the Middle East and in southern Asia is that Russia has long been trying to fish in the troubled waters of Arab politics. The fact that she has come up with almost as many old boots as fish does not yet seem to have deterred her.

Moscow's policy towards India and Pakistan, on the other hand, seems to be to avoid troubling waters which are already muddy enough, on the assumption that there are very few fish lo be had in them, and they may be dangerous if disturbed.