Roportaj

India Through China’s Eyes — Insights from Diplomat Shyam Saran
Juggernaut Books

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmSJYlG6vBI&ab_channel=DaanishBinNabi

-“How could a two-and-a-half-front conflict be avoided? This question guided India’s approach in the 1960s. India didn’t proactively see to break Pakistan – but with the situation in Assam and West Bengal worsening, Pakistan’s dismemberment became a serious, viable option.”

-“From New Delhi’s standpoint, Pakistan’s military was using its eastern wing as a staging base for operations against India, encouraging anti-Hindu violence, and discriminating against Bengalis.”

-“In contrast, Pakistan’s Bengalis leaders were viewed as less hostile and willing to resolve disputes amicably, including Kashmir. There were two ways India could address this: a change of guard in Pakistan, or dismemberment.”

-“For India, Ayub needed to go. The debate was on how and when this could happen. India leaders were split on this question until the final moment before Bangladesh’s liberation.”

-“Indian policymakers, especially in the MEA, believed that the Bengalis could gain power electorally and resolve the Kashmir issue. Such thinking went back to 1954 when Nehru believed that a Bengali-Pashtun leadership was in India’s interests.”

-“But the conservative segments in India’s security apparatus were unconvinced that a Bengali would be allowed to lead Pakistan and alter its Kashmir policy. This debate by New Delhi was settled in favour of supporting the liberation movement to the hilt.”

India’s Near East: A New History by Avinash Paliwal published by Penguin Books