India’s Politicking in the Bangladeshi Liberation War
iasparliament
March 15, 2018
What is the issue?
India’s active engagement in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war achieved important self-serving strategic objectives.
But the mission also successfully managed to portray a strong humanitarian angle to its cause.
What were the mission’s strategic calculations?
Bangladeshi liberation militias were no match for the Pakistan army’s military might and there was also enough political resistance against a clear separation.
While the Indian intervention was the key factor that tipped the balance, the intervention was lesser about compassion and more about real politicking.
Duel Front - The Bengali uprising provided India with an opportunity to break Pakistan, which will thereby prevent a duel front war in future.
Notably, although the eastern front remained largely inactive during the 1965 war, it tied down substantial military resources, which constrained operations.
It was estimated that while the newly formed country in the east might not remain an ally forever, it can never be as threatening as duel fronted Pakistan.
Future Diplomacy - It was thought that if Bangladesh became independent without Indian help, future bilateral relationships might not be smooth.
Notably, India had strongly encouraged the Bengali movement for autonomy through propaganda and secret financial support even before 1971.
Hence, not intervening to stop the Pakistani military for decimating the assertive Bengali voices would’ve become a serious breach of trust.
Pro-Indian Polity - A non-interventionist civil war would’ve radicalised the Bengali population and sidelined the pro-India centrist Awami League Party.
This could’ve lead to shifting the leadership of the movement to left-wing pro-China leftist parties such as National Awami Party and the Communist Party.
Also, protracted guerrilla warfare could’ve taken shape there, which had inherent security risks for India as Naxalism was rising in India too.
How concerning was the plight of the Refugees?
Over 10 million refugees had fled to states bordering Bangladesh in order to escape the unfolding violence, which indeed concerned India.
But the concern was more economic rather than the humanitarian as refugees numbers were burgeoning had to be fed and accommodated.
There were also ample avenues for a communal strife as migrating Hindus and Muslims saw the members of the opposite religion with suspicion.
Ultimately, the campaign was brilliantly conceived and deftly executed and furthered India’s strategic objectives while being seen as compassionate.
