In 1924, the Roerichs returned to the West. On his way to America, Roerich stopped at the Soviet embassy in Berlin, where he told the local plenipotentiary about a Central Asian expedition he wanted to take. He asked for Soviet protection on his way, and shared his impressions of politics in India and Tibet. Roerich commented on the "occupation of Tibet by the British" by claiming that they "infiltrate in small parties... conduct extensive anti-Soviet propaganda" by talking about "anti-religious activity of the Bolsheviks." The plenipotentiary later pointed out to one of Roerich's old university classmates, Georgy Chicherin, that he had "absolutely pro-Soviet leanings, which looked somewhat Buddho-Communistic," and that his son, who spoke 28 Asian languages, helped him in gaining the favor with the Indians and the Tibetans.
In 1924, the Roerichs returned to the West. During his journey to America, Roerich visited the Soviet embassy in Berlin, where he informed the local plenipotentiary about his plans for a Central Asian expedition. He requested Soviet protection for his travels and shared his observations on political developments in India and Tibet. Roerich criticized the British presence in Tibet, describing their actions as infiltration in small groups and accusing them of spreading anti-Soviet propaganda by highlighting the Bolsheviks' anti-religious policies. The plenipotentiary later noted to Georgy Chicherin, a former university classmate of Roerich, that Roerich displayed strong pro-Soviet sympathies, which appeared to blend Buddhist and Communist ideas. He also mentioned that Roerich's son, fluent in 28 Asian languages, played a key role in gaining the trust of Indian and Tibetan communities.
In 1924, the Roerichs returned to the West. On his journey to America, Roerich stopped at the Soviet embassy in Berlin, where he spoke to the local plenipotentiary about a planned Central Asian expedition. He requested Soviet protection for his trip and expressed his thoughts on political matters in India and Tibet. Roerich mentioned the British presence in Tibet, suggesting they were conducting anti-Soviet propaganda by discussing Bolshevik actions against religion. The plenipotentiary later remarked to Roerich's former university classmate, Georgy Chicherin, that Roerich exhibited strong pro-Soviet sentiments, which seemed to blend elements of Buddhism and communism, and noted that his son, who was fluent in 28 Asian languages, contributed to his positive relations with Indians and Tibetans.
The Roerichs returned to the West in 1924. Roerich visited the Soviet embassy in Berlin on his way to America, where he met the local plenipotentiary and discussed a proposed Central Asian expedition. He asked for Soviet protection during his visit and gave his views on political issues in India and Tibet. Roerich also referred to the British in Tibet, implying that they were making anti-Soviet propaganda by talking about Bolshevik persecution of religion. The plenipotentiary later told Roerich's former university classmate Georgy Chicherin that Roerich was "very pro-Soviet, a mixture of Buddhism and communism," and that his son, who spoke 28 Asian languages, helped him to get along well with Indians and Tibetans.
In 1924, the Roerichs came back to the West. On his way to America, Roerich visited the Soviet embassy in Berlin, where he met with the plenipotentiary of the Soviet Union and discussed a planned Central Asian expedition. He asked for Soviet protection for his journey and spoke on political issues in India and Tibet. Roerich spoke of the British in Tibet, implying that they were spreading anti-Soviet propaganda by talking about Bolshevik attacks on religion. The plenipotentiary later told Roerich's former university classmate, Georgy Chicherin, that Roerich was a strong pro-Soviet, and that his Buddhist-communist hybrid was a good thing, and that his son, who spoke 28 Asian languages, was a factor in his good relations with Indians and Tibetans.