Calls 1971 War a “Strategic Triumph, Diplomatic Folly”
Guwahati, May 11 — Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday launched a sharp critique against former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, accusing her of mishandling the aftermath of India’s 1971 military victory over Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.In a detailed post on social media platform X, Sarma argued that the political leadership at the time failed to capitalise on a historic opportunity, branding the creation of Bangladesh as a “strategic triumph” undermined by diplomatic missteps.
“Opportunity Lost Despite Military Success”
Sarma's remarks come in response to recent comparisons drawn between Indira Gandhi's handling of the 1971 Indo-Pak war and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach to current India-Pakistan tensions, especially after US President Donald Trump claimed a "full and immediate" ceasefire was brokered between the two nations."India's 1971 military victory was decisive and historic. It broke Pakistan in two and gave birth to Bangladesh," Sarma wrote. "But while our soldiers delivered a stunning battlefield success, India's political leadership failed to secure lasting strategic gains."
He titled his post ‘The Myth of Bangladesh's Creation: A Strategic Triumph, A Diplomatic Folly’, arguing that what should have been a reshaping of South Asia's geopolitical order ended up as a “one-sided act of generosity”.
Six Key Criticisms of India’s Post-War Policy
Sarma presented six major points to support his argument:- Rise of Political Islam: He said that while India supported a secular Bangladesh, the country declared Islam as its state religion by 1988. Today, he claimed, political Islam thrives in Dhaka, contradicting the original values India had aimed to uphold.
- Hindu Persecution Ignored: The CM alleged systematic discrimination against Hindus in Bangladesh, noting a demographic decline from 20 percent to under 8 percent. He said this "shameful reality" has been largely ignored by India.
- Strategic Neglect of Siliguri Corridor: Sarma criticised the failure to secure the Siliguri Corridor, known as the "Chicken's Neck", which connects the Northeast to the rest of India. He argued that a secure land corridor through northern Bangladesh was never pursued.
- Unresolved Illegal Immigration: He said no agreement was made to mandate the return of illegal Bangladeshi migrants. The resulting demographic changes in Assam, Bengal, and the Northeast, he claimed, have triggered social unrest.
- No Access to Chittagong Port: Despite its strategic importance, Sarma lamented that India failed to secure access to the Chittagong Port, leaving the Northeast region landlocked even after five decades.
- Sanctuary for Insurgents: He accused Bangladesh of serving for decades as a refuge for anti-India insurgent groups, exploiting the strategic vacuum left by India's post-war inaction.
“A Victory Undone by Silence”
In his concluding remarks, Sarma said, “The creation of Bangladesh was not a bargain — it was a historic opportunity lost.” He argued that India’s military success was undone by silence and diplomatic complacency, which allowed long-term strategic disadvantages to fester.His statement has sparked political ripples, especially amid ongoing debates comparing the legacies of past and present leadership in India’s foreign and defence policies.
