India and Bangladesh Liberation War examines India's pivotal 1971 decision to back the Bangladesh freedom movement and the ensuing military campaign. This accessible history is written for students, history enthusiasts, and curious readers who want a clear picture of how diplomacy, strategy, and global politics intersected in South Asia. The tone is thoughtful, educational, and engaging, showing why this moment matters today.
Drawing on largely unexplored Indian records, Chandrashekhar Dasgupta crafts a lucid, meticulously researched narrative that traces India's grand strategy in the 1971 war — how political calculations, diplomacy, economics, and military planning came together to support the Bangladesh freedom fighters. The book tackles enduring questions about motives, timing, and international alignment, including how India countered the US–China–Pakistan axis and persuaded the Soviet Union to shift its stance. It also examines whether the Simla Agreement followed the fighting and what that agreement meant for the region’s future.
The writing is clear and compelling, offering a structured, chronological journey through a complex web of events. It blends documentary detail with accessible analysis, making intricate international dynamics approachable for readers new to the topic while still rewarding those seeking depth. By grounding theory in evidence and weaving together political, diplomatic, and military strands, the book presents a complete portrait of how India leveraged multiple instruments of national power to help achieve liberation and shape a new regional order.
- Comprehensive, evidence-based account of India's actions and aims in the 1971 war
- Uses previously unexplored Indian records for fresh insights
- Explains India's grand strategy across political, diplomatic, economic, and military instruments
- Analyzes international dynamics and how India countered the US–China–Pakistan axis
- Clear, engaging narrative with a confident, lucid writing style
- Ideal for students, history lovers, and readers seeking nuanced South Asian geopolitics
Readers come away with a nuanced view of how a major regional power marshaled multiple instruments of national power to influence a liberation movement and reshape regional geopolitics. India and Bangladesh Liberation War invites thoughtful reflection on decision-making, alliance-building, and the lasting impact of the era’s diplomacy, leaving readers informed, confident, and inspired by the complexity and resilience of statecraft.
