India’s Role in Bangladesh's Independence

The independence of any nation is a very significant moment that defines the destiny of the nation followed by its history as its journey. Bangladesh was also one such nation that achieved the status of an Independent country by their separation from the Republic of India and further war against Pakistan. The history of this partition was followed by the British impact and prolonged the revolution against the Pakistan military with a lot of support from India. So, in this article, we are going to discuss the key role played by India in the independence of Bangladesh.

The partition of India in 1947 separated it into divisions of 'Dominion of India' and 'Dominion of Pakistan'. The West Bengal province of India was a site of diversity and economic importance. The part of Hindu-majority of West Bengal became part of India and the part of Muslim-majority got included in the province of Pakistan and known as the "East Pakistan". The Bengal Legislative Assembly met in June 1947 to declare whether the Bangladesh Presidency should be united with India or with Pakistan. The Assembly initially decided to join the Pakistan Constituent Assembly but later it decided to divide the province into West and East Bengal in another separate meeting.

For the next 24 years, East Bengali remained part of Pakistan. But after the rise of "Bengali Nationalists", there was a spark in Bengalis is to become independent. The determination and willingness gave rise to the "Bangladesh Liberation War" also known as the "Bangladesh War of Independence". This was an armed conflict against the 'Pakistani Military'. India, led by the INC leader Indira Gandhi, played a crucial role in this war by intervening militarily in Bangladesh's War of Independence. It explored various arguments like shared ethnicity. India provided essential diplomatic, economic and military support to Bangladeshi Nationalists. Finally, with the financial and militarily support by India, Bangladesh won the War when Pakistani forces surrendered and became Independent in December 1971.