Foreign Policy-How Pro-Indian

outside interference in Afghanistan and "blamed" some countries for the recent developments there. The Soviet Union was largely absolved of all blame for its actions. On the contrary, it was stated by the Indian government that "we have no reason to doubt assurances, particularly from a friendly country like Soviet Union, with whom we have such close ties". It was further stated that "the Soviet government has assured our government that its troops went to Afghanistan at the request first made by President Amin on December 26 and repeated by his successor on December 28, 1979".