Endeavour, Leadership And The Story Of A Nation

Context: Re-visiting India’s role and the message from Bangladesh Liberation War, five decades down the lane.

Revisiting Bangladesh Liberation War through Indian lens

• Indira Gandhi - Real architect of the triumph: Showed steely resolve during that period.
  • E.g. No signs of diffidence even at the news of the U.S. Seventh Fleet (included nuclear-powered aircraft carrier) steaming up the Bay of Bengal.
• Rooted in values – India did not claim any ‘spoils of victory’: After Pakistan’s defeat in East Pakistan, India voluntarily and unconditionally, handed over power to elected representatives of the newly established nation.
• 1971 – A signal year for India: India had extended all-out support to Government in Sri Lanka to defeat the group, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.
  • Message of upholding democratic credentials: In both cases of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh turmoil.
• Sensible restrain amidst a mounting refugee crisis: India acted with extreme circumspection and did not give in to rising clamour for any kind of premature military intervention in East Pakistan.
  • The trigger: It was to adhere to this position till Pakistan declared war on India in December 1971.
• Diplomatic success in creating global sentiments in support of India: Indo-Soviet Treaty in August 1971 encouraging it to stay the course.
• Overcoming opposition from the west: the United States displayed hostility to India’s efforts, viewing it as an encouragement to forces seeking to dismember the state of Pakistan.
• Role of the intelligence agencies – The Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW/RAW): Preparing the ground for eventual collapse of Pakistani Army resistance in East Bengal.
  • Role of Mukti Bahini — the Army of Bangladeshi irregulars: Fashioned by intelligence agencies which played a key role during the conflict.
• The ultimate accolade for India: Bangladesh is today a relatively prosperous country, having made steady progress from the category of Least Developed Country to Developing country.
  • Bangladesh today: Maintains an independent foreign policy, relations with India are excellent.
  • Bangladesh’s annual GDP growth exceeds that of its erstwhile parent and Women empowerment has been a major catalyst in Bangladesh’s progress.

Conclusion: India’s achievement in enabling the people of East Pakistan to carve out a separate destiny for themselves and achieve full freedom from Pakistan is an example of what can be achieved when political, diplomatic, military, intelligence, and civil segments act in a coordinated manner under a firm and far-sighted political leadership.