India & The 1971 War: A Contrary View

NEW DELHI: Fifty years ago, India outfoxed Pakistan and won a 13-day war that resulted in the formation of Bangladesh. That remains a glorious chapter in India’s military history; no doubt about that. Then army chief Gen. Sam Manekshaw’s role in preparing/strategising for the war is part of the military folklore. But a recent book by former diplomat Chandrashekhar Dasgupta titled ‘India and the Bangladesh Liberation War: The Definitive Story’ has divergent views about many aspects linked to the war. In this video chat with StratNews Global Editor-in-Chief Nitin A. Gokhale, Dasgupta, who has been ambassador to China and the European Union, talks about why he went against the grain. This is the first of a three-part special series commemorating 50 years of the Bangladesh liberation war.