India became an independent nation in 1947; however, it was not until her war with Pakistan in 1971 that she became a nation whose military prowess matched her size. Up until that time military aid to Pakistan had been a favorite threat of global powers that wanted to keep a balance of power on the subcontinent. Britain, China, the Soviet Union, and the United States had all used the Pakistan threat at one time or another according to their self-interests at the moment. With its victory over Pakistan, however, India has ...
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India became an independent nation in 1947; however, it was not until her war with Pakistan in 1971 that she became a nation whose military prowess matched her size. Up until that time military aid to Pakistan had been a favorite threat of global powers that wanted to keep a balance of power on the subcontinent. Britain, China, the Soviet Union, and the United States had all used the Pakistan threat at one time or another according to their self-interests at the moment. With its victory over Pakistan, however, India has experienced a second liberation. The Damoclean sword that had been held over her so long has finally been removed; her confidence and capabilities are at their highest point in her 25-year history.Beginning with Nehru's policies in 1947, Pran Chopra meticulously explores the diplomatic and political strategies leading up to the 1971 war. The emergence of Bangla Desh, which the world outside the subcontinent saw as a dramatically sudden occurrence, was actually the product of twenty years of internal struggle and global diplomatic maneuvering. The power plays of the larger nations are examined from an Indian viewpoint, which offers and interesting perspective to the Western reader. Chopra also presents a detailed analysis of the overwhelming military problems of defending a land mass as vast as India ("In a theatre of war dominated by snow conditions on the Himalayan passes and tropical rain conditions at the southern end, everything depended upon the time of the year..."). The effect of the war on Sino-Soviet relations and on the nations surrounding India is thoroughly examined. Finally, Chopra assesses India's present strength and looks to the problems that lie ahead.
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