America did not want Bangladesh to be formed, it tried its best for thisNow why does America not have any military base in South Asia? Why Bangladesh had become the center of its moves for the last few years
When the British left India on 15 August 1947, they divided the country into three parts, not two. Pakistan was divided into two parts on the eastern and western sides in such a way that India would remain trapped like a sandwich and would keep getting troubled. The intention of the British was to keep the Indian subcontinent as an arena of tension in the future as well. Later, America also joined this game. Neither Britain would have ever wanted, nor America would have wanted that a new country like Bangladesh should emerge in place of East Pakistan. When India broke this Great Game as soon as it got the chance, America was the most troubled, because this was a big blow to its big game in Asia.
It is well known that America never wanted a new country in the form of Bangladesh to be formed in place of East Pakistan and that too under the patronage of India. After being formed, it should again come under the patronage of India. If this situation was shocking for Pakistan, it was disturbing for America. Because geographically, there are only two such powers in Asia, whose influence kept increasing with time.
In 1970, when the repression of Pakistani forces started increasing in East Pakistan, atrocities were being perpetrated on Bengalis, refugees started fleeing to India in large numbers. Lakhs of people. Pakistan’s internal situation started getting affected by this. Meanwhile, Yahya Khan’s military regime in Pakistan was maintaining ties with America and China. Anyway, this was a situation when it could cut off one of the arms that were encircling it from both sides.
Then America had threatened Indira Gandhi
America had already got a hint of this. When Indira Gandhi went to America in 1971 to tell them what was actually happening in East Pakistan, in return she got a clear threat from American President Richard Nixon to stay away from East Pakistan. This warning was also given that America would not allow a new country to be formed in East Pakistan under any circumstances.
Nixon had an idea of what Indira was going to do
Perhaps Nixon had an idea of what plan Indira Gandhi’s government could execute. Richard Nixon believed that if East Pakistan was taken away from Pakistan, the geopolitics of the Indian subcontinent would change. Losing East Pakistan would mean giving relief to China and India.
The game changed in 13 days
Despite America’s threats, Indira Gandhi did what no one in the world could even think of. Yahya Khan had no idea even in his dreams that the Indian army could enter East Pakistan despite the American warning. That is why he used to organize parties of liquor and alcohol even in those days. Indian forces entered East Pakistan and the whole game changed in just 13 days.
1. Bangladesh became the biggest blow to America
2. China maintained neutrality in this war despite being a friend of Pakistan
3. The Soviet Union warned America to stay away from South Asia
Why did China sit quietly, the Soviet Union came and stood behind
Have you ever wondered why India did this? Why did China sit quietly? Why did the Soviet Union stand behind India?
The answer is simple – everyone knew that the day East Pakistan would slip out of hand, that day America’s strategy for South Asia would suffer the biggest setback, because as long as it remained, America would establish a military base there and keep an eye on the strategically important Indian Ocean, India and China.
Then, American relations with the new country remained uneasy
For this reason, even after the formation of Bangladesh, American relations with the new country were never smooth. Especially during the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. After the formation of Bangladesh, when half the world had already recognized the new country, America recognized it four months later.
Then America started packing up from South Asia
The situation started changing when the US had to close down all its ten military bases in Afghanistan due to the changed circumstances and Pakistan’s military base also had to be closed. During this time, China emerged as a superpower in the geopolitical situation and India also started emerging as a much more powerful country.
Wherever America does not get its way, it creates a drama by raising issues ranging from human rights to democracy and corruption. It fuels protests and discontent. The game had also started in Bangladesh in the 70s. Many people still believe that the murder of Sheikh Mujiburahman’s entire family was not just a coup but a part of the Great Game.
The involvement of Ford Foundation behind Grameen Bank was a big question
Under this game, the work of breaking the social and religious fabric of Bangladesh was done by making this secular country Islamic. Then the banned Jamaat-e-Islami was again brought in through the back door. American foundations also play this game in the name of development. That is why in 1976 when Muhammad Yunus opened rural banks in Bangladesh, the Ford Foundation’s association with it also raised questions. Critics say that the bank’s association with the Ford Foundation was a strange incident.
Why is this place a special strategic point
Sheikh Hasina has always accused the US of interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. Now she has also revealed that the US had its eyes on the island of St. Martin, where it wanted to build its military base at the most important strategic point in South Asia. Which was not happening.
Bangladesh holds significant geostrategic importance as a bridge between South Asia and East Asia, making it a focal point for both American and Chinese interests. From here, the US can keep an eye on both the emerging powers in the world, China and India, and also maintain its influence in the region. Especially when China is expanding its presence in Bangladesh through investments and loans.
In fact, during the Cold War after the Second World War, the superpowers expanded the cat and mouse game in third countries. As Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina on several occasions referred to a ‘white man’ who met her to explain US interests in the small coral island of St. Martin in the Bay of Bengal. The US wants to establish a base on the strategic eight-kilometer stretch of the Strait of Malacca. Although it is not known how much truth there is in this, but former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has always accused the administrator of the current interim government, Muhammad Yunus, of being pro-American.
This base will also be an important listening post for China in the north. It is obvious that the intention was to keep an eye on China from here as well as to keep India under pressure. No matter how much India’s relations with America have improved, it has never considered it as the reliable ally it was looking for.
Bangladesh, Bangladesh Liberation War, bangladesh news, sheikh hasina
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 14, 2024, 22:39 IST