Bangladesh Liberation War 1971

Bangladesh Liberation War: In 1971, Bangladesh gained independence, breaking free from oppressive rule as East Pakistan. This historic event not only marked Bangladesh’s freedom but also had a profound impact on the history and geopolitical dynamics of South Asia. The actions of West Pakistan’s military in suppressing the region led to a significant refugee and humanitarian crisis, with ten million people affected. Witnessing the dire situation, the Indian government felt compelled to respond, leading to a retaliatory action against Pakistan.

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Background

In the 1950s, Pakistan was pretty much ruled by a small group of military and bureaucratic folks from West Pakistan. Sadly, this meant that the people from East Pakistan, the Bengalis, didn’t get much say in the political scene.
Things took a turn in 1970 during elections when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League in East Pakistan won big. They had enough votes to make him the top dog, the prime minister. But, surprise, surprise, West Pakistan wasn’t too thrilled about an Eastern leader taking charge.
The whole East-West cultural gap didn’t help either. The folks in the West, led by Yahya Khan, decided to crack down hard on East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, because of their demand for freedom based on language and cultural differences.
When talks failed, General Yahya Khan unleashed “Operation Searchlight” on March 26, 1971, causing millions of Bangladeshis to flee to India, especially to West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura. West Bengal was like, “Whoa, we need help!” and turned to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for assistance with food and shelter.
India, with its brave soldiers and the spirited Mukti Bahini (the Bangladeshi resistance fighters), teamed up and gave the Pakistani forces a run for their money.
The big showdown went down on December 16, 1971, when Lt Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, the Pakistani big shot in East Pakistan, had to sign the Instrument of Surrender. That day, more than 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered to the Indian and Bangladeshi forces, making it the biggest surrender since World War II.
In just 13 days, the war was done, and a new nation, Bangladesh, was born, thanks to this intervention.

Realpolitik or Altruism

Avoiding a Two-Front War: India saw an opportunity in the East Pakistan uprising to break up Pakistan and eliminate the threat of facing a two-front war in the future. In 1965, even though the eastern front was not highly active, it still tied up a significant portion of military resources that could have been better used in the western theater.

Preserving Pro-India Awami League’s Role: India understood that a prolonged civil war in East Pakistan could radicalize the Bengali population, potentially sidelining the pro-India Awami League. This shift could empower left-wing, pro-China parties, like the Bhashani-led National Awami Party and the Communist Party, taking control of the movement.

Addressing Internal Security Concerns: The guerrilla warfare influenced by Maoist ideology posed a significant threat against the Pakistani military. India’s intervention in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 prevented potential harm to India’s internal security interests, especially considering the ongoing Naxalite movement in eastern India.

Mitigating Communal Tensions: By mid-1971, 90% of the refugees were Hindus concentrated in the border districts of West Bengal, which had significant Muslim populations. Without swift action from India, there was a real risk of serious communal strife, making it crucial to ensure the quick return of these refugees.

Shifting Diplomatic Alliances: At the diplomatic level, India didn’t act alone. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s diplomatic efforts created global support for the persecuted Bengalis. The Indo-Soviet Treaty in August 1971 boosted India’s confidence, and the victory highlighted India’s broader role in foreign politics. Countries worldwide, including the United States, recognized India’s increased influence in South Asia.

Conclusion

India can proudly claim credit for playing a crucial role in the birth of Bangladesh, which has now transformed into a relatively prosperous nation. Emerging from the challenges of being classified as a Least Developed Country, Bangladesh has steadily progressed to the status of a developing country. The formation of Bangladesh, rising from the struggles of East Pakistan, stands out as one of India’s greatest achievements in foreign policy to date.

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