I think based on the cirsumstances at that point in time, yes, India did the right thing. What was earlier East Pakistan, part of the still unstable overall Pakistan and with a divided opinion among its masses about the very existance of East Pakistan, it ought to be separate nation. It must not been seen that India took undue advantage of the situation, but rather helped a near distant part of the nation recognize itself as a true state and voice the opinion of its masses. It was truly East Pakistan's call to become Bangladesh. But what we have missed over the last few years, is an opportunity to sustain and build our relationship with Bangaladesh. Things may be improving between Pakistan and Bangladesh, but we can do even better. Who knows... it could be a stepping stone to having a more fruitful and stable relationship with Pakistan. Bangaladesh in return can help nurture this fledging relationship and play a pivotal role in the SE Asian continent. It becomes a little easier to dissect the forgone events in retrospect, but what matters more is the decision taken at the time of the required hour...and let India live upto it.
It was a gross mistake to help the creation of bangladesh. it has just opened another front for terrorists to get into India. And nobody in the Bangladesh political establishment is even grateful for our help
Firstly, Armchair hunting is of no use. We can argue to all length whether an additional pak. enclave in the east could have been more dangerous than an independent country only sympathizing with Pak. (or should I say intimidated by India's growing strength in the region). All in all, illegal migration (ref. chakma refugee) was the biggest concern why India had not other option but to help Liberate East Pakistan. Remember, leaders then did not have the hindsight advantage of 35 Years that we do today. I think under the circumstances they did the right thing. Why Kashmir settlement was not negotiated, is beyond me of course, but that is another discussion altogether.
animals few years back, you will hate indira's decision for their freedom support. they are killing my brothers in the fronnt every now and then. Censored reports inform their firing on our borders. Hey punish them man ..for the wrong they do.. what massagw we are giving to community. How much we care for our people.And no politics please.
Indians at large always want to be magnanimous. So a slight air of success is sufficient for the opponents to extract concessions. India got it right when east pakistan was liberated. India although has not meddled in Bangladesh's internal affairs since, I think India must be more proactive in its approach towards neighbours. Bangladesh obviously is seeing us a large neighbour and wants their egos massaged. India in this sense should be magnanimous and do some ego massage firmly focussing on India's long term gains. The first step should be to slowly but surely severe their ties with other troublemaker in the neighbourhood. It is in India's interest to have an ally in that side especially considering China in the neighbourhood.
Indian armed forces victory over Pakistan on 16 December 1971 has created history. Pakistan surrendered to India with over 100,000 people. To dislodge terrorist Pakistans eastern wing has definitely done better to India without any doubt. After humiliating defeat, Pak could not raise their head for over 10 years.Thats why Pak does not talk about Simla agreement of 1972.
It was Soviet intervention in Afghanistan in 1979 , that benefitted Pak with sophisticated arms,ammunitions from US and western countries, and also flow of oil funds to Pak from oil rich nations. From 1981 Pak started to train and finance Khalistanis to raise against India. When that failed, Pak started to nurture Taliban who gradually became powerful and Taliban & Pak combined occupied Afghanistan in 1995. Taliban regime was recognised by three countries- Pak,Saudi and UAE. In the meantime Pak started terrorism in Kashmir in 1989. As Pak could not digest the humiliating defeat of 1971, they wanted to take revenge by sheer terrorism to snatch Kashmir from India and failed. Pak would have remained dangerous if eastern wing was still there and they would have nuclear facilities in Jessore by now.
India should not have helped Bangladesh in their freedom fight. Even after doing so majority of Bangladesis do not support India, on the other hand BSF Jawan gets killed. The refugees increases India's population and poverty plus the terrorism....
I feel Indira Gandhi was justified in doing what she did, as far as, liberating Bangla Desh is concerned. Unfortunately, we trying to re-evaluate 30 years old decision on the backdrop on prsent situation. This would be grave injustice to the Iron Lady. However, I feel (as repeat of histories) what we won in war we lost in negotiations. YES, I agree that we should have killed the Kashmir problem FOREVER in lieu of lives of 93000 Pakistani Soldiers.
It created a new enemy on the eastern border (which is more toxic than Pakistan and against which India has no levers), freed Pakistan of an economically draining albatross round its neck (it would have been bankrupt by now otherwise), and also gave pakistanis another reason to hate and seek revenge against India. Bangladeshis now don't even want to hear the fact that India was responsible for the existence of their country. Remember the Pyrdiwah and Manikarchar incidents of 2001, when Indian border guards were murdered and strung up on poles like hunted animals by the Bangladeshis? Bangladesh is resonsible for aiding and abetting far more extensive and dangerous insurgent activities against India than Pakistan ever was. In fact it would be a good idea if India promoted the idea of Bangladesh reverting to East Pakistan. That way we might be able to undo part of the horrendous blunder of 1971.
