Thread by @KanchanGupta

Point of departure between Indira Gandhi and AB Vajpayee was Jana Sangh’s demand for immediate recognition of Provisional Govt of Bangladesh.
ABV and BJS fully acknowledged Indira Gandhi’s role in liberation of #Bangladesh. So did PM @narendramodi in Dhaka. Read
#ModiInBangladesh

India’s support to Mukti Bahini was covert. India took in 10 million refugees fleeing Pakistan Army genocide. Indira Gandhi launched a global campaign. India’s military intervention began Dec 3 and ended Dec 16 1971. #India immediately recognised #Bangladesh.
#ModiInBangladesh

Untold story of 1971 is how #USSR dilly-dallied over backing #India on #Bangladesh Liberation War. Kremlin and CPSU were split. There was great hesitation in Moscow as many did not want to upset US-Soviet detente. #US was backing #Pakistan and ignored genocide.
#ModiInBangladesh

Full credit to Indira Gandhi for swinging Indo-Soviet Friendship Treaty in August 1971 that specified ‘mutual strategic cooperation’ despite Kremlin doubters. #India Army went in after monsoon was over and decimated Pakistan Army between 3 Dec and 16 Dec 1971.
#ModiInBangladesh

I’ll close with a passing reference to how ideology blinds ‘academics’ to facts. BJS demand for immediate recognition of #Bangladesh predates Indo-Soviet pact, at a time when Indira Gandhi was unsure and her sole concern was handling the massive refugee crisis.
#ModiInBangladesh