Sino-Soviet relations
The gathering took place against the backdrop of the Korean War and the growing Cold War between the communist East and democratic West. It coincided with the heyday of positive Sino-Soviet relations. Delegates, mainly affiliated with domestic communist parties, traveled to Beijing from Canada, the United States, Guatemala, Colombia, Pakistan, India and Indonesia. Resolutions were passed, including a signed declaration by the Pakistani and Indian delegates supporting a negotiated settlement to any differences and the resolution of the Kashmir question "by the people of the Kashmir."