asad71
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1. Let's first understand the goals of India in the '71 War:
a. Politically India sought to annul the Two Nation Theory. But that proved to be a classical error on Indira Gandhi's part. The Two Nation Theory calls for recognition of the Muslims as a separate nation from the Hindus. The Muslim identity and aspirations of BD and Pakistan remain intact. In fact, India had forgotten that this idea was our brain-child. Further, whereas Pakistan was standing for the protection / well being of the Muslims in Hindu India, it is now the responsibility of BD as well.
b. Pakistan having flouted all the principles of war in BD, a defeat for her was clear from the beginning. India thus craved imperial status for her out of this victory. But the Indian people rejected her when she imposed emergency rule towards assuming dictatorial powers.
c. BD, it was assumed, would be an easy captive market. Again the calculations were wrong.
d. The raging Naxalite communist insurgency would get grind-ed during this war. This did happen but took longer time.
e. NE insurgencies would be quelled. Except for the Mizos, this did not happen. Even the Mizos would have carried on had the flower of their youth not been cut down by 8 E Bengal and MBs when PA officers led the Mizos into suicidal frontal attacks - something they were not used to.
f. There was great pressure on GOI from Bengalees in W Bengal and Tripura to take action for returning the 10 mlln refugees who were almost all Hindus and their kins.
g. The Soviets Politburo were convinced by veteran BD communist leader Moni Singh and socialist leader Muzaffar Ahmed to act. Kosygin-Breznev saw this an opportunity to get involved in an area in the neighborhood of US military presence. The Soviets urged/encouraged India to act assuring her of their support in case China or USA got involved directly.
h. An important factor was Indian military's opportunity to redeem itself from its pathetic performance in 1962 and 1965.
2. Since Sep 1971 Pakistan and USA were desperate to find some way to stop the war. The Shah of Iran, Lebanese PM, USA itself and others tried their hands only to be rebuffed by India each time. Indian Intel had kept a close watch on all BD officials preventing them from meeting any Western diplomats. Eventually India joined the war only for the last 13 days to steal victory from MB. Except for pockets of resistance like Hili, PA dispositions were in disarray. IA really had a clear walk through MB controlled territory up to Dhaka.
3. FYI, India did harbor desires to stay put in BD. DCs / DMs, SPs and civil admin officials at various levels had been earmarked from Indian admin cadre and kept stand-by. Subimol Dutta, originally from Patya, Chittagong was earmarked to be the Chief Secy. Eventually this fine man, and one of India's senior most bureaucrats, became India's High Commissioner at Dhaka.
4. The surrender at Dhaka took place on 16 Dec, but many other PA positions had capitulated earlier. As soon as that began occurring IA began looting and ransacking. Maj Jalil, Commander 9 Sector had in fact deployed his troops to resist Indians once they began acting like conquerors. Cases began to appear in the press also. There was even a Sikh soldier caught by villagers in Rangpur trying to rape a local girl. This was reported in the papers and the soldier was court martial-led. Several IA officers were court martial-ed for looting, and BA officers were sent to testify in these trials. As such Indians had understood they were most unwelcome here.
5. The first question Sheikh had asked Indira was for a date she would withdraw her troops. And this she did on Sheikh's birthday. This might have been the most sagacious decision by Indira or any Indian leader so far.
6. The water, soil and air of BD has never been healthy to any foreign invader. We have always resisted foreign occupation.
a. Politically India sought to annul the Two Nation Theory. But that proved to be a classical error on Indira Gandhi's part. The Two Nation Theory calls for recognition of the Muslims as a separate nation from the Hindus. The Muslim identity and aspirations of BD and Pakistan remain intact. In fact, India had forgotten that this idea was our brain-child. Further, whereas Pakistan was standing for the protection / well being of the Muslims in Hindu India, it is now the responsibility of BD as well.
b. Pakistan having flouted all the principles of war in BD, a defeat for her was clear from the beginning. India thus craved imperial status for her out of this victory. But the Indian people rejected her when she imposed emergency rule towards assuming dictatorial powers.
c. BD, it was assumed, would be an easy captive market. Again the calculations were wrong.
d. The raging Naxalite communist insurgency would get grind-ed during this war. This did happen but took longer time.
e. NE insurgencies would be quelled. Except for the Mizos, this did not happen. Even the Mizos would have carried on had the flower of their youth not been cut down by 8 E Bengal and MBs when PA officers led the Mizos into suicidal frontal attacks - something they were not used to.
f. There was great pressure on GOI from Bengalees in W Bengal and Tripura to take action for returning the 10 mlln refugees who were almost all Hindus and their kins.
g. The Soviets Politburo were convinced by veteran BD communist leader Moni Singh and socialist leader Muzaffar Ahmed to act. Kosygin-Breznev saw this an opportunity to get involved in an area in the neighborhood of US military presence. The Soviets urged/encouraged India to act assuring her of their support in case China or USA got involved directly.
h. An important factor was Indian military's opportunity to redeem itself from its pathetic performance in 1962 and 1965.
2. Since Sep 1971 Pakistan and USA were desperate to find some way to stop the war. The Shah of Iran, Lebanese PM, USA itself and others tried their hands only to be rebuffed by India each time. Indian Intel had kept a close watch on all BD officials preventing them from meeting any Western diplomats. Eventually India joined the war only for the last 13 days to steal victory from MB. Except for pockets of resistance like Hili, PA dispositions were in disarray. IA really had a clear walk through MB controlled territory up to Dhaka.
3. FYI, India did harbor desires to stay put in BD. DCs / DMs, SPs and civil admin officials at various levels had been earmarked from Indian admin cadre and kept stand-by. Subimol Dutta, originally from Patya, Chittagong was earmarked to be the Chief Secy. Eventually this fine man, and one of India's senior most bureaucrats, became India's High Commissioner at Dhaka.
4. The surrender at Dhaka took place on 16 Dec, but many other PA positions had capitulated earlier. As soon as that began occurring IA began looting and ransacking. Maj Jalil, Commander 9 Sector had in fact deployed his troops to resist Indians once they began acting like conquerors. Cases began to appear in the press also. There was even a Sikh soldier caught by villagers in Rangpur trying to rape a local girl. This was reported in the papers and the soldier was court martial-led. Several IA officers were court martial-ed for looting, and BA officers were sent to testify in these trials. As such Indians had understood they were most unwelcome here.
5. The first question Sheikh had asked Indira was for a date she would withdraw her troops. And this she did on Sheikh's birthday. This might have been the most sagacious decision by Indira or any Indian leader so far.
6. The water, soil and air of BD has never been healthy to any foreign invader. We have always resisted foreign occupation.
