Q.81 Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play decisive roles in the emergence of Bangladesh. POST-INDEPENDENCE INDIA (UPSC CSE 2013) (200 words/10 marks)

Answer:

INTRODUCTION:

India played an important role in creation of Bangladesh through both direct and indirect interventions. India was compelled to intervene in the Bangladesh War of 1971 due to various strategic, domestic, economic and humanitarian factors. This move of India was motivated by the urgent need to address a severe humanitarian crisis and reshape regional geopolitics.

THE BODY:

The Context: Pakistan was founded on the ideological presumption that the Muslims of India formed a distinct nation due to their faith. However, the political section of West Pakistan discriminated against East Pakistan.

• • In the absence of political democracy, Yahya Khan abruptly launched a military onslaught on East Pakistan on March 25, 1971, after Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s victory in the 1970 After being detained, Mujibur Rahman was transported in West Pakistan.
  • The army of West Pakistan started a terror campaign, which had an immediate effect on India had to step in to address a humanitarian crisis brought on by the Pakistani army’s atrocities against the people of East Pakistan.
  • The Indian government granted permission for Awami League leaders to establish a government in exile (Calcutta), trained Mukti Vahini Sena in military operations on Indian soil, and supplied food, clothing, shelter, and medical care to refugees.
  • Thus, despite severe resource constraints, the Indian armed forces launched an operation to liberate Bangladesh in December 1971.

Factors that led India to play decisive roles in the emergence of Bangladesh

• • Humanitarian Catastrophe: Pakistan Army’s assaults on Bangladeshi people resulted in a humanitarian crisis as they destroyed crops and villages and slaughtered innocent civilians. Thousands of intellectuals and Bengali police and army personnel were killed to deprive the people of any leadership. This compelled India to become involved in the conflict on a humanitarian front in order to avert a major catastrophe.
  • Refugee influx: At the domestic front, the constant influx of migrants from East Pakistan was creating various problems in the Border States. The resources were limited and there was constant struggle between locals and refugees over the use of these resources.
  • Strategic interests: Another factor was India’s geopolitical interests in the area as India was strategically concerned about having East Pakistan and West Pakistan on opposite sides of its boundaries. India saw a chance to weaken Pakistan and change the geopolitical landscape of South Asia through intervention in East Pakistan.
  • Diplomatic isolation: Prior to using force, India pursued an extensive diplomatic campaign, but India was left with little options due to the lack of a strong international response, especially from the United Nations because of its principle of non-interference. Thus, India had to take bold decision to take decisive military action.
  • Internal Pressures: The Indian administration was under internal pressure from the public and political parties who sympathized with the hardship of the Bengali people in East Pakistan. The public opinion made it politically and ethically necessary for the Indian government to act decisively.

CONCLUSION:

An important turning point in the history of South Asia was India’s involvement in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. A complex interplay of internal, diplomatic, geopolitical, and humanitarian considerations led India to decide to intervene. In addition to creation of Bangladesh, this action fundamentally changed South Asia’s political landscape.