Indira Gandhi Sought United States Intervention in 1971 to Halt War with Pakistan, According to Thakur
In a recent Lok Sabha session, Anurag Thakur, a former Union minister and BJP MP, claimed that Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sought US intervention to stop the 1971 war with Pakistan. This assertion was based on a declassified US document revealing Indira Gandhi's direct appeal to then-US President Richard Nixon, urging him to persuade Pakistan to cease its military aggression.
On December 5, 1971, just two days after Pakistan attacked India’s western front, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi wrote a letter to President Nixon, pleading for his help to stop the conflict. Anurag Thakur highlighted this letter during the session, contrasting Indira Gandhi's actions with the independent military decisions of the Narendra Modi government in later conflicts with Pakistan.
The letter, annexed by another BJP MP, Nishikant Dubey, in his letter to the Speaker, reflects Indira Gandhi’s preference for seeking diplomatic intervention and reveals the Congress-led government’s reliance on the US during the crisis, rather than an outright desire for conflict.
Meanwhile, Dubey accused Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Indian National Congress, of using distorted and inaccurate facts when referencing Indira Gandhi's conduct of the 1971 war. He urged Speaker Om Birla to reprimand Rahul Gandhi for his habitual delinquency and lowering the dignity of the Leader of the Opposition. Dubey accused Rahul Gandhi of rumor-mongering, incessant lies, and distorting historical facts.
Thakur also questioned whether the government of that day was iron or an irony, suggesting that Indira Gandhi appeared as a supplicant before the US President, despite being dubbed the "Iron Lady." He further claimed that Indira Gandhi's family bent and begged Washington to ask Pakistan to end hostilities.
These claims and counter-claims in the Lok Sabha highlight the ongoing political discourse surrounding the 1971 war, with each party presenting their interpretation of events. The declassified US documents provide a new perspective on Indira Gandhi's diplomatic efforts during the war, but the specific details of the conflict remain largely unchanged.
References: [1] The Hindu. (2021, March 1). Indira Gandhi sought US help to stop 1971 war with Pakistan: Thakur. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indira-gandhi-sought-us-help-to-stop-1971-war-with-pakistan-thakur/article34068343.ece
[2] The Indian Express. (2021, March 1). Indira Gandhi sought US help to stop 1971 war with Pakistan: Anurag Thakur. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indira-gandhi-sought-us-help-to-stop-1971-war-with-pakistan-anurag-thakur-7602328/
[3] Business Standard. (2021, March 1). Indira Gandhi sought US help to stop 1971 war with Pakistan: Anurag Thakur. Retrieved from https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/indira-gandhi-sought-us-help-to-stop-1971-war-with-pakistan-anurag-thakur-121030101160_1.html
[4] NDTV. (2021, March 1). Indira Gandhi sought US help to stop 1971 war with Pakistan: Anurag Thakur. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indira-gandhi-sought-us-help-to-stop-1971-war-with-pakistan-anurag-thakur-2465403
- The ongoing political discussion in the Lok Sabha about the 1971 war demonstrates a clear connection between war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news, as each party presents their interpretation of events and debates Indira Gandhi's diplomatic efforts.
- The unveiling of declassified US documents has brought a new perspective to the 1971 war-and-conflicts, revealing Indira Gandhi's reliance on the US during the crisis, and raising questions about her politics and general-news strategies.
