Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma criticizes Indira Gandhi for mishandling Bangladesh’s creation post-1971 war, calling it a strategic opportunity lost. He cites failures in securing Northeast interests, addressing migration, and countering political Islam in Bangladesh, sparking debate on India’s diplomatic legacy.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday targeted former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, accusing her of mishandling the geopolitical aftermath of India’s historic 1971 victory over Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. In a post on X titled “The Myth of Bangladesh’s Creation: A Strategic Triumph, A Diplomatic Folly,” Sarma contended that while India achieved a remarkable military triumph, its political leadership failed to convert the battlefield success into long-term strategic advantage.
Sarma’s comments came amid renewed comparisons between the leadership styles of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indira Gandhi, following remarks from US President Donald Trump about a recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan facilitated by American mediation. Opposition leaders have criticized Modi’s handling of Indo-Pak relations, prompting Sarma to draw historical parallels with the 1971 war.
“India’s 1971 military victory was decisive and historic. It broke Pakistan in two and gave birth to Bangladesh. But while our soldiers delivered a stunning battlefield success, India’s political leadership failed to secure lasting strategic gains,” Sarma asserted.
According to him, the creation of Bangladesh, often celebrated as a diplomatic win, was in fact a missed opportunity to reshape regional power dynamics. He claimed that had Indira Gandhi been alive today, the nation would have questioned her for not leveraging India’s dominance during that critical period.
Sarma presented six reasons supporting his claim. First, he criticized the failure to ensure that Bangladesh remained a secular nation. “India supported a secular Bangladesh. Yet by 1988, Islam was declared as the state religion. Today, political Islam thrives in Dhaka, undermining the very values India fought to protect,” he said.
Secondly, he highlighted the sharp decline in the Hindu population in Bangladesh. Once forming about 20 percent of the population, Hindus now make up less than 8 percent, a trend Sarma attributes to “systematic discrimination and violence,” which he says India has largely ignored.
Third, Sarma pointed to the continued vulnerability of the Siliguri Corridor — known as the Chicken’s Neck — which remains exposed despite India’s military dominance in 1971. He suggested that a land corridor through northern Bangladesh could have been secured to integrate the Northeast more effectively, but the opportunity was overlooked.
Fourth, he lamented the lack of any agreement to repatriate illegal Bangladeshi migrants, resulting in “unchecked demographic change” in Assam, Bengal, and the Northeast, contributing to social unrest and political instability.
Fifth, he noted that India failed to secure access to the strategic Chittagong Port, leaving the northeastern region landlocked even after five decades.
Lastly, Sarma claimed that India failed to prevent Bangladesh from becoming a base for anti-India insurgents for several decades.
