By Kamal Sikder
In 1965, India and Pakistan fought a war in which India suffered a significant defeat, despite being a larger country with a stronger economy. India struggled to combat the relatively weaker Pakistani military due to having to fight on two fronts, while also keeping a large number of soldiers deployed along the lengthy India-China border. Additionally, insurgencies in northeastern India and Kashmir posed major challenges. To add to India’s difficulties, Bengali soldiers from East Pakistan played a significant role in Pakistan’s success. Pakistan’s military intelligence was highly effective, whereas India lacked a comparable intelligence structure, leading to the establishment of RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) after the war.
The outcome of the 1965 war motivated India to devise a strategy to weaken and divide Pakistan. East Pakistan’s population was already discontent with the Pakistani regime, and India aimed to exploit this discontent. In 1968, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the leader of the Awami League, was implicated in the ‘Agartala Conspiracy Case,’ where Ayub Khan, then President of Pakistan, accused him of conspiring to break Pakistan with India’s support. Sheikh Mujib consistently denied these allegations.[1]
In 1969, the Awami League won the national assembly elections but was denied the opportunity to form a government. Ayub Khan, unable to control the growing unrest in East Pakistan, handed power over to Yahya Khan, who subsequently declared martial law. Yahya Khan and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People’s Party, initiated a dialogue with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but this was merely a cover for the impending military crackdown on the Bengali people. On March 25, 1971, this crackdown began, sparking an all-out liberation war against Pakistan.
Initially, the East Pakistan Regiment and Bengali soldiers within the Pakistan Army formed the first line of defense against the West Pakistan Army. India later provided support by training the Bangladeshi militia known as the Mukti Bahini, which played a crucial role in the liberation struggle. Later, India declared an all-out war against Pakistan after the Pakistan Army launched an attack on India’s western front. In November 1971, the Indian Army initiated air and ground operations in Bangladesh, targeting Pakistani military installations, further intensifying the conflict and actively supporting the Bangladesh Army.
The role of India in Bangladesh’s liberation in 1971 is often viewed through two lenses: one of immense gratitude for aiding Bangladesh in securing its independence from Pakistan, and another of criticism for the economic and military exploitation that followed. While India’s intervention was undeniably crucial in the defeat of the Pakistani military, it is essential to examine the complex motivations behind its actions and the subsequent consequences for Bangladesh.
India’s Strategic Interest: Ensuring Security and Stability
India’s involvement in the Bangladesh Liberation War was not purely altruistic. Beyond the humanitarian rhetoric, India primarily aimed to safeguard its national security. The brutal crackdown by Pakistan on the people of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) led to a massive influx of refugees into India, primarily in West Bengal, Assam, and other eastern states. This exodus created an immense burden on India’s economy, infrastructure, and security, with nearly 10 million refugees crossing the border by the end of 1971.
India realized that a stable and independent Bangladesh would prevent a prolonged refugee crisis, secure its eastern borders, and reduce the threat posed by a hostile Pakistan. By supporting Bangladesh’s independence, India also removed Pakistan’s presence from its eastern flank, thereby halving the direct military threat from a two-front war scenario. This strategic maneuver saved India billions in defense spending over the decades, ensuring long-term security in the region.
The Alleged Looting of Bangladesh
However, the aftermath of the war paints a less favorable picture of India’s role. There are numerous allegations, supported by historical accounts, that the Indian Army, following the defeat of Pakistan, exploited Bangladesh’s resources and infrastructure.
1. Looting of Military Equipment:
After the Pakistani military’s defeat, it is alleged that the Indian Army looted a significant amount of military equipment left behind by Pakistani forces. Reports suggest that approximately 200 rail wagons were filled with weapons and military hardware, valued at around 2,700 crore taka at that time (around $13 billion in today’s market). This substantial appropriation of military assets left Bangladesh without crucial defense resources, hampering its ability to establish a robust post-war security apparatus.[2]
“Colonel Oli Ahad, a prominent freedom fighter, wrote in his book National Politics 1945-1975 that equipment worth millions of taka used for weapon manufacturing was transferred from the Joydebpur Ordnance Factory to India.”[3]
2. Exploitation of Agricultural Resources:
Another significant accusation against India revolves around the large-scale looting of Bangladesh’s agricultural produce. Following the war, millions of tons of rice, wheat, and jute—critical resources for the survival of a war-torn nation—were allegedly transported to India. It is estimated that over 70-80 lakh tons of rice and wheat, worth 2,160 crore taka (around $10 billion today), were taken. This massive depletion of food resources contributed to the starvation and suffering of the Bangladeshi people, already reeling from the devastation of war.[4]
Major Rafiqul Islam, one of the sector commanders of the Liberation War, wrote: “Right before our eyes, rice and jute were smuggled across the border, while the helpless people of Bangladesh were left begging at the doors of the world.” [5]
5. Stealing of Heavy Machinery
There are allegations that machinery parts were stolen from Bangladesh’s industrial factories after the war and used to establish five new jute mills in Agartala, India. This controversial chapter of history is harrowing, as Bangladesh, after gaining independence, was facing enormous challenges in rebuilding its economy and industrial sector.[6]
Jute was one of Bangladesh’s primary export products, and after the war, it was crucial to restore and repair the jute mills to revive the industry. However, it is alleged that India exploited this situation by stealing valuable machinery from several jute mills in Bangladesh. These stolen parts were reportedly used to set up five new jute mills in Agartala, India, further weakening Bangladesh’s industrial sector.
This type of exploitation made the process of economic recovery in Bangladesh even more difficult. The jute industry in Bangladesh, a key revenue source for the country, suffered long-term damage as a result of this, significantly impacting the nation’s ability to rebuild.
4. Smuggling and Open Borders:
In the immediate aftermath of the war, India declared a 10-mile open trade zone along the Bangladesh border, which, according to some sources, became a haven for smugglers. This further exacerbated the looting of Bangladesh’s resources, as jute, rice, and other valuable commodities were funnelled out of the country. The porous borders also allowed for the circulation of counterfeit currency, which severely destabilized Bangladesh’s already fragile economy.[7]
5. Counterfeit Bangladeshi currency
Counterfeit Bangladeshi currency was printed in India and circulated within Bangladesh. At the time, the country’s finance minister, Tajuddin Ahmad, was reportedly forced to admit, “Counterfeit notes have destroyed our economy.” [8]
Economic Consequences and the Plight of the Bangladeshi People
As the newly independent nation struggled to rebuild itself, it faced severe economic hardships. Factories and industrial infrastructure, such as jute mills and ordinance factories, were reportedly stripped of machinery and equipment, which were then transported to India. This crippled Bangladesh’s nascent industrial base, forcing the country to rely heavily on foreign aid to rebuild.
Additionally, the looting of relief supplies intended for the war-affected population, along with the exploitation of Bangladesh’s natural resources like fish, cattle, and timber, further deepened the economic crisis. These actions left the population grappling with famine, poverty, and despair, as the nation’s wealth was siphoned off during a time of utmost need.
India’s Contribution and the Complex Legacy
There is no denying that India’s military intervention was pivotal in securing Bangladesh’s independence. India provided critical military support, training for Mukti Bahini fighters, and diplomatic pressure on the global stage, which culminated in Pakistan’s surrender on December 16, 1971. For this, Bangladesh remains grateful. However, the economic exploitation that followed the war has left a complex legacy.
While some argue that the post-war actions were the inevitable fallout of any military occupation, others view it as a calculated effort by India to weaken a newly formed nation. The looting of resources, coupled with the ongoing exploitation of Bangladesh’s economic and natural assets, has fuelled a narrative of India as a self-serving actor, prioritizing its interests over those of its neighbour.
The Need for Historical Perspective
It is essential to approach the history of the Bangladesh Liberation War with a balanced perspective. India’s involvement in 1971 was driven by a combination of humanitarian concerns and strategic interests. While it played a crucial role in the liberation of Bangladesh, the subsequent actions of Indian forces and the exploitation of resources cannot be ignored.
Understanding this history is vital for fostering informed discourse. While criticism of India’s actions during and after the war may be valid, it is equally important to recognize the complexities of the situation. Bangladesh’s relationship with India is shaped by shared history, but it is crucial to acknowledge both the contributions and the challenges that have defined this relationship.
[1] On February 22, 2011, Shawkat Ali, one of the accused in the Agartala Conspiracy Case, stated in the Bangladesh Parliament that the case was not fabricated and that the charges brought against the accused were true. He confirmed that Navy Steward Mujibur Rahman and educationist Mohammad Ali Reza had indeed traveled to Agartala, India, to seek Indian support for Bangladesh’s independence. Agartala conspiracy case was not false'”. bdnews24.com. 23 February 2011
[2] Daily Amirt Bazar (দৈনিক অমৃতবাজার), 12 May 1974.
[3] Oli Ahad: National Politics from 1945 to ’75, pp. 528-531 (অলি আহাদ: জাতীয় রাজনীতি ১৯৪৫ থেকে ‘৭৫, পৃ:৫২৮-৫৩১)
[4] Janatar Mukhpatra (জনতার মুখপাত্র), 1 November 1975
[5] *The 1338 Nights of Misrule*, pages 119-126
[6] Akhatrul Alom, The 1338 Nights of Misrule, pages 115-116 (আখতারুল আলম, দু:শাসনের ১৩৩৮ রজনী, পৃষ্ঠা: ১১৫-১১৬)
[7] Abul Mansur Ahmad: *My 50 Years in Politics*, page 498
[8] Abdur Rahim Azad, Who Was the Architect of the 1971 Genocide, page 52
