In March 1953, I. V. Stalin died in Moscow, and N. S. Khrushchev became the first secretary of the CPSU Central Committee. The period known as Khrushchev's thaw began to become a new stage in the history of the USSR, largely oriented to the East. The countries of Asia and Africa, liberated from colonial dependence, chose allies for themselves – and N. S. Khrushchev offered them the help of the USSR.
SHARAF RASHIDOV, WHO PROVED HIMSELF AS AN EXPERIENCED DIPLOMAT BACK IN 1951 DURING THE RECEPTION OF THE INDIAN DELEGATION IN TASHKENT, PLAYED A SPECIAL ROLE IN THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE USSR AND THE COUNTRIES OF THE EAST.
In this field, Sharaf Rashidov with his experience was useful not only as a party leader, but also as a writer, teacher and diplomat. During meetings with the heads of various states, he easily switched from protocol conversations to everyday things, using his background as a history teacher and writer. He knew very well the histories of those states whose leaders he received, and used historical facts not at the everyday level, but as a professional, which first surprised his listeners and then delighted them deeply. With the help of such confidential conversations, he endeared himself even to those who had previously had some prejudice against him and at first kept dry and formal.
THE STORY OF SHARAF RASHIDOV AS A DIPLOMAT REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF NOT ONLY UZBEKISTAN, BUT ALSO THE ENTIRE USSR, BEGAN IN 1955. AS A MEMBER OF THE USSR DELEGATION, HE VISITED THE COUNTRIES OF SOUTH-EAST ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST.
In 1955, during their visit to India, politicians from the USSR signed an agreement on the construction of several enterprises by Soviet specialists, among which was the metallurgical plant in Bhilai, the first one in India. Uzbekistan was given a special role in the Indian issue, since it was considered the most influential Asian republic within the USSR.
Also in 1955, during a visit to Afghanistan, the Soviet delegation launched negotiations, which resulted in a number of agreements, including an agreement on trade turnover and payments between the USSR and Afghanistan, an agreement on assistance in the construction of the Kabul Bakery Plant, as well as irrigation, hydropower and transport facilities.
In 1956, following an initiative from Moscow, Sharaf Rashidov visited six countries in two weeks – Pakistan, India, Burma, Vietnam, China and Mongolia – with a delegation headed by Anastas Mikoyan, the First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. Returning to Moscow, Anastas Mikoyan highly appreciated Sharaf Rashidov's professional and personal qualities. Another successful trip undertaken by Anastas Mikoyan and Sharaf Rashidov earlier, in 1955, was a visit to Burma, where contracts were signed for the construction of a number of civilian facilities by the Soviet Union.
SHARAF RASHIDOV'S AUTHORITY GREW NOT ONLY IN MOSCOW. MORE AND MORE REPRESENTATIVES OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES CAME TO UZBEKISTAN – FOR A YEAR AND A HALF, OUTSTANDING FIGURES FROM CHINA, SYRIA, INDONESIA, EGYPT, NORWAY, HOLLAND, THE USA, ENGLAND, URUGUAY, ARGENTINA, THE GDR, CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES VISITED THE REPUBLIC. PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS FROM SWEDEN, IRAN, THE GDR, DENMARK, PAKISTAN, NORWAY, AND THE DPRK ALSO PAID A VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC. SO SHARAF RASHIDOV BECAME A RESPECTED AND RECOGNISABLE PERSON ABROAD.
