In the given question, a statement of Assertion is followed by a statement of Reason. Mark the correct answer.

Assertion: At the international level, India's decision to sign the Treaty of Friendship in August 1971 with the USSR for 20 years was widely accepted because of the circumstances under which it was signed.

Reason: The Indian government’s view in respect of Treaty of Friendship was that India needed diplomatic and possibly military support during the Bangladesh crisis and that in any case, the treaty did not stop India from having good relations with other countries including the US. 

The Assertion is incorrect but the Reason is correct.

The correct answer is option 3: The Assertion is incorrect but the Reason is correct.

Assertion: At the international level, India's decision to sign the Treaty of Friendship in August 1971 with the USSR for 20 years was widely accepted because of the circumstances under which it was signed. The Assertion is incorrect as India was criticised (not widely accepted) for signing the Treaty of Friendship with the USSR.

Reason: The Indian government’s view in respect of Treaty of Friendship was that India needed diplomatic and possibly military support during the Bangladesh crisis and that in any case, the treaty did not stop India from having good relations with other countries including the US.  The reasoning is correct.

"India’s policy of non-alignment ans subsequent signing of Treaty of Friensdhip with erstwhile USSR was criticised on a number of counts. Here we may refer to only two criticisms:

First, India’s non-alignment was said to be ‘unprincipled’. In the name of pursuing its national interest, India, it was said, often refused to take a firm stand on crucial international issues.

Second, it is suggested that India was inconsistent and took contradictory postures. Having criticised others for joining alliances, India signed the Treaty of Friendship in August 1971 with the USSR for 20 years. This was regarded, particularly by outside observers, as virtually joining the Soviet alliance system. The Indian government’s view was that India needed diplomatic and possibly military support during the Bangladesh crisis and that in any case the treaty did not stop India from having good relations with other countries including the US."