THE MOTHERLAND, KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 8, 1971
SIMPLY AMAZING
Significant as it certainly is. India’s recognition of the people’s Republic of Bangladesh has also confirmed the suspicion held by many that India actually wanted “Bangladesh” to be a child of the Indo-Pakistan war.
In that. India has by and large achieved her initial Political goals, but does the new development have the capacity to clinch the long drawn controversy for all times to come, is a question the answer to which is neither readily available nor can anybody, Bangladesh leaders and prime Minister Gandhi not excluding, honesty claim to be in the know.
Having been assured of the Soviet veto in the U.N. Security Council India, as events show, found an opportunity to penetrate into areas of Bangladesh rather too irresistibly, and thought, probably rightly, that the time was opportune for according diplomatic recognition to the rebel Government which, as the world knows, commands the approval and loyalty of more than 75 million people.
India has done what all the major powers knew she would do if the drain on her economy, forced by the massive influx of refugees, remained unmitigated.
Of all the big powers, the United States appears to be disturbed the most.
Pakistan’s snapping of diplomatic relations with India is but a natural phenomenon, but what is more intriguing is the U.S. decision to suspend credits to India on the ground that India has indulged in delinquent activity.
The American reaction is quite understandable. In fact, one does not have to go farther than the frontiers of Vietnam to get a true picture of the negative aspect of American foreign policy. Its disrespect for the cause of freedom and liberty is simply amazing.