26th March 1971 and a new state was born; Bangladesh. 14th August 1947 when the partition of India took place, the nation divided into two parts; India and Pakistan, it was not Hindustan anymore.
Pakistan was divided in such a way that East Pakistan and West Pakistan remain separated from a huge distance and during this distance lies India.
Right after the division of India, Pakistan declared India as an enemy and rival state and imposed a war fought in 1947-48.
The state of Kashmir was the cause of this war.
During the partition and independence, the princely states were to choose the option to go with; India , Pakistan or to remain independent. Jammu and Kashmir was the largest princely state with the Muslim majority and ruled by a Hindu king, Maharaja Hari Singh.
Pakistan imposed brutal battles on India including 1965 and 1999.
Thousands sacrificed their lives on the hands of the politics between New Delhi and Islamabad.
A misfortunate for Pakistan
West Pakistan never accepted the Bangalis equal to them. The majority of west Pakitan was dominated by the Punjabi politicians and they always wanted to be dominated on the national politics. The culture of vadehra; the landlord remained in the country even after more than 20 years of independence. The power balance was not visible at all.
The then popular politicians; Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto from west and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from East Pakistan attracted a public applaud in the general elections in 1970. East Pakistan was majorly dominated by Awami League which was the party of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This turned dismayed among two leaders causing a greater clash.
The nationalism among West Pakistan people risen due to the forceful impose of Urdu language among Bengalis . The political dismay was a huge catastrophe to the nation and its people.
Before the general elections in 1970, Pakistan was facing the wrath of martial law of Iskandar Mirza who was disposed of by General Ayub Khan , the then Chief of Pakistan Army Staff .
It was the hard work of these two leaders; Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto which brought down the martial law in Pakistan and established the democracy again. Coup d’etat to the coup.
But bigotry of Zulfiqar made it worst and he continued the martial law in East Pakistan. The army never thought of them as human and became more barbaric- raping women and unlawful killing of civilians .
This infidelity made Bengalis think of the secondary options which lead them to fight a liberation war; Muktijuddho(the war of freedom). India supported this war but the first country to recognize the state of Bangladesh was Bhutan followed by India, Israel, Poland, Bulgaria, and Burma. China, Pakistan, Palestine, and many other Muslim dominated countries did not recognize Bangladesh for a very prolonged period.
The USA supported this war but the other side. Richard Nixon denied its involvement stating it is their internal matter.
Bangladesh will remain a strategic alliance for India.
The US is always looking for its war bases and they have a clean eye on Bangladesh. The geographical situation of Bangladesh makes her more strategic than any other south-Asian countries.
Bangladesh is under the face of rapid development. In the past decade, Bangladesh has emerged as the fastest growing economy with a record GDP growth of more than 6.5%, which is tremendous. The economy which is majorly dominated by its export may become a greater ally to the Indian market as well. Presently the India export to Bangladesh is in billion dollars.
China is spreading its dragon wings to the other states. Pakistan is majorly being benefited apart from Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Malaysia and now Nepal. For India, this may become a big headache in the very near future.
India played the most significant role in the liberation of Bangladesh and she should not ignore the Bangladesh alliance. The India and Bangladesh governments, business groups and intelligence should find a better way to neutralize the situation in the region.
