HIS103: Emergence of Bangladesh

Lecture 18:
Role of Big Powers in the War of
Liberation, 1971

April 15, 2020

 Role of Big Powers
Introduction:
 The birth of Bangladesh was not only the culmination of a
long struggle, it also was the result of the combination of
many factors.
 Viewed from the political polarization and alignment of the
world powers at that time, there has been an emphasis
upon the intervening roles of some of the (then) major
powers, such as, India, the USA, China, the USSR, UK and
the Muslim World.
 They played a very significant role- positive and negative- in
the War of Liberation of Bangladesh.
 Role of Big Powers
 Role of India:
 The role of India, the next door neighbor, in the War of
Liberation was the most important one in terms of positive
gesture.
 It is widely believed that it would have taken Bangladesh
several more years to emerge as an independent state had
India not joined with the Mukti Bahini in the third phase of
the struggle.
 After March 26, 1971 confused and helpless Bengalese took
shelter in India by crossing the border which India cautiously
welcomed.
 India gave shelter to about 93 lakh refugee people, most of
whom were Hindus, (and non-muslims) and gave them food
and shelter.
 Role of Big Powers
Role of India:
 The friendly people of India, journalists, the intellectual community
and its government headed by Srimoti Indira Gandhi did a great
job to mobilize world opinion/support in favor of Bangladesh.
 When Pakistan declared war against India on November 22, 1971,
India directly involved in the war of Bangladesh.
 India entered the war directly on December 3, 1971, after Pakistan
launched pre-emptive air strikes in northern India.
 India was among the first two countries (the first country to
recognize Bangladesh was Bhutan) to recognize Bangladesh on
December 6,1971- ten days before the surrender of the Pak-
military and the official victory of Bangladesh.
Surrender of Pak Army, December 16, 1971
The text of the Instrument of Surrender 
The PAKISTAN Eastern Command agree to surrender all PAKISTAN Armed Forces in BANGLA DESH to
Lieutenant-General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA, General Officer Commanding in Chief of Indian and BANGLA
DESH forces in the Eastern Theatre. This surrender includes all PAKISTAN land, air and naval forces as also
all para-military forces and civil armed forces. These forces will lay down their arms and surrender at the
places where they are currently located to the nearest regular troops under the command of Lieutenant-
General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA.

• The PAKISTAN Eastern Command shall come under the orders of Lieutenant-General JAGJIT SINGH
AURORA as soon as the instrument has been signed. Disobedience of orders will be regarded as a breach
of the surrender terms and will be dealt with in accordance with the accepted laws and usages of war.
The decision of Lieutenant-General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA will be final, should any doubt arise as to the
meaning of interpretation of the surrender terms.

• Lieutenant General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA gives a solemn assurance that personnel who surrender shall
be treated with dignity and respect that soldiers are entitled to in accordance with provisions of the
GENEVA Convention and guarantees the safety and well-being of all PAKISTAN military and para-military
forces who surrender. Protection will be provided to foreign nationals, ethnic minorities and personnel of
WEST PAKISTANI origin by the forces under the command of Lieutenant-General JAGJIT SINGH AURORA.
(N:B:The text of the surrender is now a public property of Indian, displayed  in the National Museum in New Delhi.
 Role of Big Powers
The role of the USSR:

 The Soviet Union's (USSR) close tie with India was vital in shaping the Soviet response
towards the East Pakistan crisis in 1971.
 The USSR was the first socialist country which rendered sincere support and played a
significant role in the Bangladesh War of Liberation.
 The relatively high priority given by the Soviet policy makers was the consequence of
their perception of the contemporary world and Asia, and the proper Soviet role in
both the world and Asian dimensions as a great power.
 Therefore, Moscow’s involvement was largely determined by “a power struggle
between China and the Soviet Union and a strategic conflict between Moscow and
Washington.”
 Moscow claimed that the USSR sided consistently with the liberation struggle of the
people of Bangladesh, its moral and material assistance and support playing a large
role, helped that people win freedom.
 Role of Big Powers
 The role of the USSR:
 Following the Pakistani military crackdown in East Pakistan on March 25, 1971,
Soviet President Nikolai Podgorny wrote a letter to Yahiya Khan appealing for the
adaptation of the most urgent measures to stop bloodshed and repression against
the unarmed people of East Pakistan and for turning to methods of a peaceful
political settlement of the dispute.
 The USSR also assured India, the number one ally of Bangladesh in the War of
Liberation, to take countermeasures if the USA and/or China confronts the
resources of the struggle.
 The USSR signed the Indo-Soviet Friendship Treaty in August 1971 and declared
‘total Soviet support with India’ on Bangladesh issues.
 Soviet veto against the US backed proposal for ceasefire paved the way for the
Indo-Bangladesh allied forces to march into Dhaka and secure the defeat and
surrender of 90 thousand Pakistani troops on the 16th December 1971.
 Soviet Union's positive role thus contributed immensely to the historic triumph of
Bangladesh. The USSR recognized Bangladesh on January 25, 1972.
 Role of Big Powers
 Role of the USA:
 Of the two super powers dominating the World in 1970s, the USA played a more complex and somewhat
negative role in the 1971 war. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the US society's response was one of
positive support contradicting the state's negative role.
 The USA supported Pakistan both politically and materially. However, during the first phase the US
posture was “neutral” and it described the problem in East Bengal as Pakistan's “internal matter”.
 The second phase started with the secret trip by President Nixon's National Security Adviser, Henry
Kissinger, to China during 9-10 July 1971. During this phase, which lasted until September, the United
States pursued diplomacy of restraint, counseling India to desist from armed conflict with Pakistan and
privately pressing Pakistan to thrash out a 'political settlement' of the East Pakistan issue.
 During the third phase, lasting from September until December 3, when the Indo Pakistan war over
Bangladesh broke out, the United States attempted to promote a constructive political dialogue between
the Pakistani military government and the Bengali nationalist leaders in India, producing no results..
 The fourth phase covered the period of the Indo Pak war. During the 14-day sub continental war, the
United States backed Pakistan and blamed India for the escalation of hostilities and tried through the
United Nations and other means to bring about a ceasefire and “save West Pakistan” from possible Indian
attempts to destroy it militarily.
 Role of Big Powers
Role of the USA:

 The US administration ignored reports it received of the genocidal activities of the Pakistani
Army in East Pakistan, most notably the Blood telegram.
 The USA feared that an Indian invasion of West Pakistan would mean total Soviet domination
of the region, and that it would seriously undermine the global position of the United States
and the regional position of America's new tacit ally, China.
 To demonstrate to China the bona fides of the United States as an ally, the US sent military
supplies to Pakistan and routed them through Jordan and Iran, while also encouraging China
to increase its arms supplies to Pakistan.
 When Pakistan's defeat seemed certain, US President Richard Nixon sent the aircraft carrier
USS Enterprise to the Bay of Bengal, a move deemed by the Indians as a nuclear threat.
 The US Task Force 74 was trailed by the Soviet Navy in the Indian Ocean from 18 December
until 7 January 1972.
 Although vehemently opposed the means of the War of Liberation in 1971, the USA
recognized Bangladesh on April 4, 1972.
 Role of Big Powers
Role of China:
China, an ‘all-weather-friend’ of Pakistan played a negative role in the War of Liberation of Bangladesh.
Throughout the War china wanted to show a non-interventionist posture and did not officially react to the
March 25 crackdown by the Pakistan army on the unarmed people of Bangladesh.
The editorial China’s People’s Daily (which represents Beijing's position) on April 11 criticized Indian
intervention in Pakistan’s domestic affairs, but made no comments on the atrocities made by the Pakistan
army in East Pakistan.
During the War of Liberation Beijing repeatedly criticized India and both the superpowers (the USA and the
USSR) for their ‘direct interference’ in the internal affairs of Pakistan, and pledged its supports to the
‘Pakistani People,’ without rendering specific support to the actions of the Pakistan military.
It also continued its economic and military supplies to Pakistan throughout the war of Liberation. Thus,
China’s public position had ostensibly been supportive of Pakistan.
When Bangladesh applied for membership to the United Nations in 1972, China vetoed their application
because two United Nations resolutions regarding the repatriation of Pakistani prisoners of war and civilians
had not yet been implemented.
China recognized independent Bangladesh on 31 August 1975 after the tragic assassination of Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
 Role of Big Powers
The Muslim World:

 Because of Pakistan’s close association with the Muslim world, the

Muslim world did not support the Bangladesh War of Liberation.
 They were surprisingly silent about the brutal genocide,
harassment, rape of muslims made by the Pakistan Army.
 In fact, the Muslim World became suspicious about the struggle for
Bangladesh because it was supported by India- a dominant Hindu-
majority state and USSR-a socialist/communist superpower.
 They feared that this would harm Islam and the Muslims in general.
 Role of Big Powers
International Media:

 The international mass media played a vital role in Bangladesh’s War of

Independence. The London Times, the Sunday Times, the Guardian, the Sunday
Observer, the Daily Mirror and the Daily Telegraph were helping in spreading the
news of genocide and expedite cooperation among the international community to
support Bangladesh.
 The tale of two heroes:

(1) Anthony Mascarenhas (Assistant Editor of West Pakistan based the Morning News):
London based the Sunday Times published a front page and centre page story
entitled “Genocide” written by Anthony Mascarenhas on June 13, 1971. It was the
first detailed eyewitness account of the genocide published in a western newspaper.
(Available at: https://
www.thedailystar.net/supplements/victory-day-special-2017/genocide-1505440)
 Role of Big Powers
International Media:
(2) Simon Dring (The Daily Telegraph): He evaded capture by hiding on the roof
of the Hotel Intercontinental on March 25, 1971. Dring was able to
extensively tour Dhaka the next day and witness first-hand the slaughter that
was taking place. Days later he was able to leave East Pakistan with his
reporter’s notes. On March 30, 1971, the Daily Telegraph published Simon
Dring’s front page story of the slaughter in Dhaka that the army perpetrated
in the name of “God and a united Pakistan.”
 ‘The concert for Bangladesh’ which had raised much international
awareness was organized by Pandit Ravi Shankar and George Harrison in
Madison Square Garden, New York City on August 1, 1971. In addition,
Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan, both of whom had ancestral roots in
Bangladesh, performed an opening set of Indian classical music, which led
the whole world knew the name of Bangladesh.”