It was well until December of 1971, that India’s arch rival and the dominant Muslim

nationhood of Pakistan comprised of two very distinct territories West Pakistan and
East Pakistan… distinct not only as they were distanced by the width of entire North
Indian plains stretching nearly 700 kilometres, but also very distinct in ethnicity,
language and culture. East Pakistan was largely Bengali speaking while the west was
dominantly Urdu & Punjabi speaking. The divide was always enough to keep up the
political turmoil simmering.
Amongst the common people & business professionals in East, it was a common
belief that East Pakistan’s economic misery was not due to lack of potential or
resources within East section but because of heavy incumbency and exploitation by
the West, on it’s financial efforts & achievements. It is a historical fact that while East
was a major earner of foreign exchange through it’s jute and other varied exports,
the West was relatively just a liability. Moreover, the dismal representation of East
Pakistan in both the Civil Administration and Military services – both of which
being power centric were dominated by West Pakistan, created even more deficit in
the already depleted trust and added still more fire to the fury of the East section.
Thus, the factors ranging from the geographical to the cultural – socio-political –
economic and strategical divisive policies - all contributed in keeping the politics
boiling within the ranks of Pakistan. This was even further aggravated and
compounded when the then-Pakistan President confronted by several
demonstrations & protests – both in East & West sections, resigned transferring
power to the Pakistan General Yahya Khan. The military regime committed a serious
blunder of ruling through an iron fist implementing it’s policy of fear and
intimidation, to prevail over the socio-cultural differences. In the process often
resorting to brutal means and callous measures directed towards mauling or
crushing the political protests in East Pakistan.
As a result, the growing discontent gave enough fodder to cultivate the demand for
autonomy in the East wing. The uprising gathered more momentum and the
demand for separate Bangla nation under the famous Mukti Vahini and the Awami
League led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, became a resilient movement. Mujibur
Rahman had become the face and voice of the movement. The seed for a separate
Bangla nation was sowed. Millions were on the streets of Dacca, Jessore and
Chittagong, chanting slogans in support of “Jay Bangla” & “Omar Bangla”.
As the situation in East Pakistan became turbulent, Pakistan central forces,
comprising mostly of West Pakistan personnel became increasingly harsh and to
oppress the civil movement demanding autonomy, commenced a military campaign
in Dacca. This only infuriated the protests even further and the sizeable Bengali
population was belligerent. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested. This sparked
major reactions and caused widespread violence in East Pakistan. Bengali Hindus
being ethnically & religiously different were often made the first target by Pakistan
forces, who were mostly from West Pakistan. This gave the prevailing policies and
the situation a drastically anti Hindu inclination. Protesting Bengali Hindus were
mercilessly dealt with, their properties confiscated, bodies mutilated and lakhs were
killed in cold blood. Reactionaries were however, in mood to give up their demand
of an independent Bangla nation and often confronted the Pakistan forces, engaging
with then in a guerrilla war. Casualties were inflicted on both sides, but the ill-
equipped and less-trained Mukti Vahini fighters paid with their lives in huge
numbers.
This situation as a natural consequence caused a huge refugee movement of Bengali
Hindus from East Pakistan into India. India was from the very beginning in support
of the movement being led by the Awami League – the political party of Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman & the Mukti Vahini, hence was no surprise, that India was further
instrumental in extending even military support to the reactionaries. The world
order was however divided in it’s approach and concern. While the Soviet Union
backed India , the Communist China was inclined to support Pakistan. USA,
disguised an apparent diplomatic distance, while it continued to supply and sell
arms to Pakistan. The military regime under General Yahya Khan at the helm in
West Pakistan was perhaps too occupied in resolving political situations in the West
and thus had little to offer as relief measures to the East section.
Moreover, USA even accused India of unnecessarily provoking violence and
thwarting the possibility of a peaceful and political dialogue to diffuse the tensions.
Posing ignorance and oblivious of the discomfiture being faced by India and to
mount even further more pressure, USA even suspended it’s economic assistance to
India. US declared India’s military stand as unwarranted and even as the victory for
India appeared to be very imminent USA sent it’s navy fleet heading towards the
Bay of Bengal – a move that was thwarted and countered by the India’s trusted ally
the formidable Soviet Union, by sending it’s own submarine to intercept, should the
US fleet show any sinister design it’s intentions.
India was however totally undeterred by all such accusations and pressure tactics
being deployed by the US. India, not only responded firmly by giving a befitting
critical retort to the demeaning stance taken by the US but exposed their duplicity by
expressing deep concern over the motives of the US behind heavily arming West
Pakistan.
Amid all these international pressures & counter-moves the amassing tensions on
the borders, huge refugee influx into India, the rampant killing of Bengali Hindus
and the continued build-up of weaponry by Pakistan all created a situation where
India could never afford to remain an onlooker. India responded by building up it’s
army presence on the East Pakistan borders and also fortifying it’s long western
borders with the hostile neighbour. Keeping up the diplomatic ante, and as a
possible recourse to reducing tensions in East Pakistan, India demanded the release
of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Also, India openly suggested that Independent East
Pakistan was the only lasting resolution to the deepened crisis.
Several diplomatic missions voicing India’s concern were also sent to several
European countries, Mrs Indira Gandhi then the Prime Minister of India herself
visited USA to meet President Nixon. However, no consensus could be achieved on
the same.
India then had a compelling situation forcing it to strengthen it’s army presence
within the East Pakistan territory and support the local demand for the return of
Pakistan forces to West Pakistan. The move irked the Pakistanis who responded by
conducting several air strikes on numerous Indian air-fields, what broke out then
was a full-fledged war between India & Pakistan. The second major conflict since the
partition of India in 1947. The war was fought on both the Eastern & Western
borders. Indian army under the command of legendary Chief of Army, General S M
Manikshaw was efficient in effecting major victories both on the Western & Eastern
borders. In the Eastern section it had launched a fierce counterattack. In just 13 days
India had gained a clinching victory compelling Pakistan forces to succumb to
perhaps the biggest surrender in recent times. Even America could not help
Pakistan. If anything that happened was that the America’s hope of ever using India
as a stabilizing factor against communist China regime in Asia were severely
battered.
The surrender ceremony took place at a racecourse ground in Dacca on 16 th
December 1971. Pakistan forces under General A K Niazi formally surrendered to
Indian Army Officer and joint Commander of Bangladesh Forces General Jagjit
Singh Arora. History was created, as almost 90,000 Pakistan forces were captured
and lodged in several Prisoner of War camps built especially for keeping the
Pakistan soldiers across the various cantonments in North India. Flawed national
and operational strategy proved to be disastrous for Pakistan, both politically and
militarily. Not only India had defeated Pakistan clean & square and a new nation
“Bangladesh” was thus born but even more importantly India had shown a resolve
to flex against the mighty USA.
The 1971 war was not just a military victory for India, rather, it was a huge political
and diplomatic success. Also, the Indo-Soviet friendship had seen a new high. After
the surrender India immediately declared a cease-fire giving the message to the
world that India had no ulterior motives of any territorial gains. All that India
wanted was a peaceful and prospering neighbourhood. Indian PM Indira Gandhi
while declaring the recognition of Bangladesh complimented Dacca as the new
capital and the people of Bangladesh for winning their independence. However
subtle or modest was the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s diplomatic conduct, but as
an aftermath of the 1971 India – Pakistan conflict, it was evident that India has
established itself and was well poised for a major role in the turn of future events
with geo-political considerations.
On the other hand, Pakistan was not only psychologically broken by the humiliating
defeat, it stood dismembered, it’s economy shattered and the armed forces were
reduced by significant strength. The army was reduced by a third, the naval fleet
nearly halved and the airforce reduced significantly as well. All in all Pakistan was
no longer the biggest Muslim nation, it’s influence was reduced in geopolitical issues
as even the Muslim world nations stood distanced from the battered Pak.