In a memorable address to the XVIth Session of the UN General Assembly on November 10, 1961, the Late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had suggested that the Assembly might consider devoting a year to International Co-operation to emphasise the positive aspects of co-operation rather than the conflicts and division of the world. Enthusiastically received, this suggestion culminated in the unanimous adoption by the General Assembly of a resolution on November 21, 1963, designating 1965, the 20th year of the United Nations as the International Co-operation Year.

A UN Committee for the ICY was then constituted, with India among its 12 members, to draw up and co-ordinate plans for the ICY. Its recommendations included the issue of commemorative stamps, an ICY calendar of month wise activities, publicity and exchange of information on all aspects of international co-operation, and formation of National Committees for the International Co-operation Year. An Indian National Committee for the ICY was set up under the Presidentship of the Minister of External Affairs, Sardar Swaran Singh, and including representatives from various sections of the community, for the over all planning and co-ordination of activities to be undertaken during 1965.

India's plans and projects for the observance of the ICY include the erection of an ICY Memorial, a documentary film on "Twenty Years of United Nations", a pamphlet on "India and International Co-operation", an all India competition for an ICY poster, a mock UN General Assembly, meetings, seminars, lectures, special AIR features, ICY issues in journals, welfare projects by all India voluntary organisations, observance of special UN days in educational institutions, etc. The celebrated exponent of Carnatic music, Smt. M.S. Subbulakshmi will give a special performance in September 1965 at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York in Celebration of the 20th anniversary of the United Nations.

The Posts and Telegraphs Department has pleasure in commemorating the International Co-operation year by issuing a special postage stamp on the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the United Nations. The motif of the stamp consists of the ICY symbol of two joined hands framed by olive wreaths and the inspiration "International Co-operation Year 1965".

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India