The public criticism of India’s perceived dominance reflects a growing discomfort with the asymmetry in the bilateral relationship.
NEW DELHI: December 16, 1971, was a momentous day in South Asian history. It was the day the world feasted its eyes on an event that redefined a young, independent India’s role as a regional leader.
It was the day of the creation of Bangladesh: an occurrence that changed the face of South Asia. On a political terrain marred by genocide of Bangladeshis, India’s military intervention facilitated the independence of then-East Pakistan from West Pakistani oppression.
It was a glorious humanitarian and strategic triumph for India.
Vijay Diwas, celebrated annually to commemorate this victory, is a testament to India’s military prowess and commitment to justice and self-determination.
However, Bangladesh’s political alignments show signs of drifting away from India. The legacy of 1971 and the hard-earned peace it symbolises face new challenges.
At the intersection of domestic politics, economic concerns, and external influences, forces of dubious legitimacy threaten to undermine the bilateral relationship that was once forged in the fires of liberation.
HISTORICAL TRIUMPH OF STRATEGY, LEADERSHIP
The 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War was as much a military victory as it was a diplomatic and political masterstroke.
The coordinated efforts of the Indian Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—resulted in Pakistan’s swift and decisive defeat. This success was a testament to India’s ability to balance its military operations with strategic diplomacy, notably through the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, which deterred Western intervention.
The Indian Navy played a pivotal role in crippling Pakistan’s war-waging capabilities.
Operations Trident and Python targeted Karachi’s naval and fuel facilities, causing irreparable damage to Pakistan’s maritime assets. Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant imposed a blockade in the Bay of Bengal, isolating East Pakistan and severing its supply lines.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) provided air supremacy, neutralising Pakistani airfields and ensuring uninterrupted support for ground operations.
On the ground, Indian Army’s multi-pronged offensive overwhelmed Pakistani forces, culminating in the fall of Dhaka and the surrender of 93,000 troops— one of the largest surrenders in military history.
Vijay Diwas is a reminder of that seamless coordination and capacity to act decisively—a day that reflects India’s role as a net security provider in the region.
INDIA’S TRANSFORMATION SINCE 1971
Now, India’s military and economic situation has transformed dramatically. From a nascent military power in 1971, it has grown into a formidable force.
Indian Navy now operates around 150 ships and submarines, including two aircraft carriers—INS Vikramaditya and the indigenous INS Vikrant, each displacing 45,000 tonnes.
Its fleet includes nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines like the Arihant class and advanced diesel-electric submarines such as the Kalvari class, alongside cutting-edge destroyers and frigates.
With most shipbuilding projects undertaken domestically, the Navy aims for a 200-ship fleet by 2035, projecting power across the Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific as a net security provider.
Meanwhile, the IAF boasts of cutting-edge fighter jets, strategic airlift capabilities, and a growing indigenous and imported platforms arsenal.
India’s nuclear advancements have given it a credible deterrence posture in a volatile region. As a result, India is now positioned as a global player with the capacity to safeguard regional and international security interests.
This growth has enabled India to take on roles beyond its borders, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to counter-piracy missions. Yet, even as India assumes these responsibilities, challenges to its leadership persist, particularly from nations that have benefited most from its past actions—Bangladesh being a prime example of a lack of gratitude.
CHANGING DYNAMICS OF INDIA-BANGLA RELATIONS
Born from India’s intervention, Bangladesh is now exhibiting anti-India sentiments. Fuelled by domestic political narratives and the increasing influence of external actors like China and Pakistan, grassroots campaigns such as “India Out” have taken root.
The public criticism of India’s perceived dominance reflects a growing discomfort with the asymmetry in the bilateral relationship.
Bangladesh, once the beneficiary of India and the prowess it possessed as a regional giant, now finds objections with that same aspect. Dhaka has voiced concerns over trade imbalances, accusing India of exploiting its position.
Frequent border incidents and portraying India as a hegemonic neighbour have further eroded trust. This resentment has provided fertile ground for external powers like China to deepen their engagement in Bangladesh, from infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to defence cooperation.
Pakistan, too, has sought to capitalise on these shifts by rekindling ties with Bangladesh and pushing anti-India narratives. Furthermore, Pakistan, through its nefarious Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is reportedly exploiting the volatile situation from the fall of Dhaka to infiltrate its terror instruments into India.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REGIONAL SECURITY
These developments have significant implications for regional stability. A politically estranged Bangladesh, increasingly aligned with China or Pakistan, could disrupt India’s strategic calculus in South Asia.
Bangladesh’s strategic location makes it a key player in regional connectivity initiatives, maritime security, and counter-terrorism efforts. A strained relationship could impede collaborative projects like the BBIN (Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal) corridor and hinder India’s efforts to counter Chinese influence in the Bay of Bengal.
Moreover, the drift in India-Bangladesh relations could embolden adversarial narratives, diminishing India’s image as the benevolent regional leader that it is. This calls for a strategic recalibration of India’s approach to Dhaka, focusing on rebuilding trust and addressing the root causes of discontent.
FRAGILITY OF GRATITUDE
As India celebrates Vijay Diwas, it must be remembered that leadership is responsible for sustaining relationships. The liberation of Bangladesh was not just a military victory but a moral commitment to justice and stability from New Delhi and Dhaka. However, as is now evident, the gratitude of nations is often fleeting, able to be swayed by short-term interests.
Vijay Diwas becomes a commemoration of victory and a call to action to preserve the legacy of that triumph, a reminder of how Bangladesh came to be a nation in the first place, and think over what it would mean for Dhaka to be on the wrong side of regional geopolitics before it is too late for the country in crisis to recalibrate.
India is on its unstoppable growth story—a bright spot amid the gloomy international economy—and will carry over its historical friends along with it. However, its strategic restraint cannot be taken for granted.
After all, a rising power that gave birth to a new nation is now a resident power in the subcontinent and a superpower in the making, one that is not wise to trifle with.
RECALIBRATING INDIA’S BANGLADESH STRATEGY
India must take proactive steps to reinforce its ties with Bangladesh and safeguard the legacy of 1971.
Regular high-level dialogues and people-to-people exchanges can help counter anti-India sentiments and foster mutual understanding.
Addressing trade imbalances and investing in joint economic projects can create a sense of shared prosperity.
India must offer competitive alternatives to Chinese investments, focusing on quality and sustainability.
Leveraging the shared history of 1971 can serve as a foundation for renewed bilateral ties, highlighting the sacrifices made by both nations.
* Ashish Singh is a senior journalist with over 17 years of experience in defence & foreign affairs.