India’s Politico-Military Strategy for the 1971 India–Pakistan War

India displayed its firm political resolve, robust military capability and deliberate decision-making process in the 1971 India–Pakistan War to achieve significant strategic success. The politico-military strategy evolved progressively from a cautious response to a firm decision to employ the Armed Forces at an appropriate time as the last instrument. India adroitly calibrated an indigenous freedom movement led by Mukti Bahini and concurrently launched a diplomatic outreach campaign to shape the environment in its favour. India outmanoeuvred Pakistan to compel it to launch pre-emptive airstrikes on 3 December 1971 in order not to be seen as an aggressor. India, apprehensive of international pressure to impose an early ceasefire and considering Dacca, the nerve centre, an ambitious objective, opted to capture the geographical space. Yet, it secured the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dacca. The Pakistani opposition crumbled under the weight of synergised military operations in the backdrop of failed UN Security Council Resolution

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