PhD Thesis on Bangladesh:
"As two nations united by history but divided by destiny, India and Pakistan are almost like two estranged siblings. Their rivalries over five decades have prevented both countries from realizing their full economic and geographical potential. The two countries have fought three wars, two of them over the disputed region of Kashmir. The region is small, but nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, its strategic importance and beauty make it a prized possession." (CNN)
There is no end to this bitter-peace battle between these two countries. Both countries want their independence as well as control over the much-disputed Kashmir. There are major differences, such as culture and religion, and economy. These are the reasons why India and Pakistan have been at war with each other for more than half a century. The 1971 Civil War was also a consequence of the differences between these two diverse countries. This war is an example of the history behind the "hatred" that these countries have for each other. It will help to clarify some the reasons why India and Pakistan have been at war for so long and why they have not come to resolution.
The religious differences have been the foundation of the problems between India and Pakistan and are the main reason for their partition. Pakistan is a country in which the majority of people living there are Muslim and in India the majority are Hindu.
"India stood for a secular, equitable polity based on the universally accepted idea that all men are created equal and should be treated as such. Pakistan was based on the premise that Hindus and Muslims of the Subcontinent constitute two different nationalities and cannot co-exist. The partition created two different countries with most Muslim majority areas of undivided India going to the newly created nation, Pakistan (Land of the Pure)." (Freeindia) Many people had to escape the violence and leave their homes for their safety, they had to leave behind everything they were familiar. Muslims left behind their homes in India and Indians fled Pakistan for a new life. "It is estimated over two million died from religious violence in the process." (Zia Mian) When the countries separated, they were said to be: "birthed in violence and hatred" and it has only escalated for over half a century.
Another widely exposed crisis that Pakistan and India have encountered is Nuclear power testing. Since both countries are hostile and tense, which can cause a risk of nuclear conflict, there are many countries that are involved in trying to resolve these concerns before they become more problematic. But this is such a complicated issue, that it may be research paper in itself. To mention it as one of the major issues surrounding the India and Pakistan war is important. "Their nuclear weapons capability at the technological level was recognized along with their military ambitions, and all remained outside the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NFT), which 186 nations have now signed. Both countries are opposed to the NFT, except for safety-related devices for new safeguard facilities." (Nuclear Issues Briefing Paper 45) Neither country acknowledges the existence of Nuclear of their nuclear weapons programs. However, some experts believe that India may have enough fissile material for as many as 70 nuclear weapons and Pakistan has enough for 15. (Mian)
The other issues leading up the 1971 Civil war were quite complex, since East and West Pakistan were divided not only geographically but divided by many other crisises. The smaller part of Pakistan was East Pakistan and it was home to more than half the country's population and this was the area that Pakistan was most concerned with. Pakistan was trying to keep this part under control. These discrepancies weren't something that could be ignored. But, East Pakistan's Bengali people grew to feel that that was exactly what was happening. (angelfire.com) "They believed a West Pakistani elite held the country's political power. Eventually, a nationalist movement grew, demanding more autonomy for East Pakistan within the country. Then in early 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his Awami League Party won 167 out the 313 seats in the Pakistani government. The victory didn't sit well with West Pakistan, which had Mujibur Rahman arrested and his party banned. Rioting broke out in East Pakistan. West Pakistan sent in the military to quash the uprising. Nobody knows how many civilians died but estimates ranges from 300,000 to more than a million." (angelfire.com) These issues are what escalated into another war between India and Pakistan. There was no stability within Pakistan, politically, economically, or socially. Consequently Pakistan attempts to stabilize their country in other ways.
East and West Pakistan were separated geographically by 1600 km of foreign territory, India. The East consisted mostly of Bengali-speaking population and West Pakistan was made up of mainly Punjabis, as well as, Sindhis, Pathans, Balochis, and Muslim refugees from India. (Freeindia) This division within a country has caused many internal problems for Pakistan. Pakistan has had far more difficult time in maintaining their national unity than India.
"It lost part of this struggle in 1971 when the nations eastern wing, East Pakistan, separated in a short but brutal civil war to become the independent state of Bangladesh. Sindhi, Baloch, and Pathan grievances against the dominant Punjabi majority remain serious." (Harrison et al) There were many reasons why Pakistan was unable maintain unity, some of the reasons were: "Bangladesh was only one-fifth the size of Pakistan, it has a larger population. The two nations are very different. Pakistan is a mountainous nation with many ethnic groups, while most people in Bangladesh share the same culture. 98% of the people of Bangladesh speak Bengali, yet less than ten percent of Pakistanis speak Urdu, their official language."(Wilson)
These uncertainties have only intensified and have not allowed Pakistan to be a united and strong country.
Both countries were striving to create a stronger country. They were both aware of the fact that another war could emerge at any time and that they needed to secure any allies for support as well as military endorsements. "August 9 1971, Mrs. Gandhi signed a twenty-year Treat of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation with the Soviet Union, stipulating that if either party were "subjected to an attack or a threat thereof," the two would "immediately enter mutual consultations in order to remove such treaty and to take appropriate effective measures to ensure peace and security of their countries." (Wolpert, 389) At this time Pakistan was standing alone, although China and US were willing to support Pakistan, there was no support given to them during this war. "Pakistan was at the mercy of India." (Blood)
"On November 23, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States called a press conference to report that troops of three Indian divisions, supported by armor and air cover, had "made an all out attack on Jessore, Rangpore, Chittagong Hill Tracts, and Sylnet." Asked if war was "imminent" between India and Pakistan, Ambassador Raza replied: "The war is on. It is not imminent, but is on." (Wolpert, 389) This was the beginning of the civil war. It was not long after this that the war broke out and was another war that would set Pakistan behind even further.
The foundation of the major tribulations between India and Pakistan is Kashmir but there are other problems that extend much deeper than just this issue. Due to the fact that India and Pakistan still have not reached any sort of resolution to this point, has only complicated the matters further. Tensions were brewing and both countries seemed to be getting impatient with the other. "Confident that another war would be as much of a stalement as the 1965 conflict, the Pakistanis got increasingly bold and finally on 3 December 1971 reacted with a massive coordinated air strike on several Indian Air Force stations in the West. At midnight, the Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi in a broadcast to the nation declared that India was at war with Pakistan." (freeindia)
International security was affected by these tensions for both India and Pakistan. The constant firings across what was called the "line of control" in Kashmir was mounting and both countries were apprehensive about what was to happen next. Pakistan then accepted an agreement made by the United States to support them. "United States military planners saw as a base for air operations against the central USSR and as a staging to ensure access to Middle East oil areas. Pakistan welcomed this relationship with United States. It soon joined two US led military alliances. The Central Treaty Organization and the South East Asia Treaty Organization and began receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid." (Harrison et al, 167) Pakistan believed they would be supported by the United States if they took any action against India.
Pakistan perhaps did not realize what the consequences would be by declaring war against India. India appeared as though they were prepared for what happened on that terrible night. "With total air superiority and popular support, India advanced quickly in the East, while fighting a "holding action in the West. The green, red, and gold banner of Bangladesh was unruffled in every town and village as the Indian army closed its ring of steel around Decca. On December 9 Jessore was liberated amid cries of "Jai Bangla!" Six days later, India's chief-of-staff, General Sam Manekshaw, personally accepted Pakistani General Niazi's offer to surrender. The instrument of Surrender of All Pakistan Armed forces in Bangladesh was signed on December 15, 1971. India declared ceasefire." (Wolpert, 390) The after math of this undeclared war was not something to celebrate, for either country. Pakistan's army as well as their economy suffered a great loss. "Their economy was on the brink of collapse." Their hope to regain unity within their country or to recapture Kashmir was also shattered. For now, Pakistan and India had to face the results of this war.
"The spoils that went with victory, however, did not last long. Domestically, Indira Gandhi faced mounting problems of sluggish economic growth and social disorder. In an attempt to bolster her sagging fortunes she authorized an Indian nuclear test in Rajasthan desert in 1974." This shows how India has begun another major turning point in the bloody history between India and Pakistan. Their history is one that repeats itself, they will continue to fight for what they believe in and acquire what they both want and that ultimately is Kashmir.
To conclude this abrupt civil war, in July of 1972 India and Pakistan signed a bilateral Simla agreement so that both countries could restore their position to the way that it was before the war. Although this is impossible, the agreement states that "the two countries are resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations or by any other peaceful means mutually agreed upon between them." Although this did not settle any of the matters concerning Kashmir, it seemed to have put that issue to side, but not for long.
The danger of renewed war between Pakistan and India, both possessing nuclear weapons, is animate today as it was over half a century ago. The Indian government has said it has a policy to not use them but the Pakistani government has no such policy, and is thought to be ready to use them if faced with "conventional defeat".
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