SYNOPSIS GROUP 6

How bio-polar security architecture had influenced the out of Bangladesh liberation war of
1971? Make an assessment with particular reference to the role of super powers.

Introduction:
Bipolarity is a form of international order in which two states control the majority of global
economic, military, and cultural influence. The authoritative case of a bipolar world is the Cold
War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Bangladesh was born as a nation-state in a
bipolar international system in 1971, after a violent independence struggle. During the Cold War,
it was bipolar and the two superpowers, the United States of America (USA) and the former
Union of Soviet Socialist Countries (USSR), became the two poles, respectively leading the
Western capitalist and Eastern socialist blocs. Both superpowers acted as preponderant powers,
shaping the strategic choices of the majority of nation states. Bangladesh's birth in 1971 was a
game on the world stage in which many teams, including superpowers, played their cards
directly or indirectly when grappling with the power balance in the international arena at the
time.

Aim
The aim of this research is to identify the influence of the bipolar security architecture and the
role of the global superpowers at that time on the liberation war of 1971 and formation of
Bangladesh.

Background/Origins:
 Global superpowers existed since as early as 27 BC, the great Roman Empire being
considered the first global superpower
  Although, during World War II, USA and the Soviet Union fought together and defeated
Hitler; however, right after World War II these two countries emerged as the two most
powerful global superpowers of that era
 engaged in a Cold War (1947-1991) (‘Two Super Powers: The United States and the
Soviet Union’, 2014).
 Being the two rival global superpowers of that era, both USA and the Soviet Union were
eager to expand their influences over South-East Asia (Ashrafi, 2021)
 set the stage for an intricate bipolar security architecture that eventually had a very
significant impact on the 1971 Liberation war of Bangladesh.

Development of bio polar Security Architecture & its Ramifications on Bangladesh

Independence
 Formation of two Global Security Alliance namely NATO and Warsaw Pact
 Race for Control over Asia (South Asia) – India and Pakistan joined different camps
 India remained non-aligned but unofficial friend of USSR
 Rise of China and its split with Russia
 Split between Russia and China widened over 1962 Sino-Indian war
 Pakistan came even closer to China following Indo-Pak war of 1965 as USA suspended
supply of military munitions
 US inclination towards China for combatting common enemy China
 Emergence of Russia and India vs US, China and China over Bangladesh issue.
 India-US relations
 US-Pakistan relations
 Indo-Pak war of 1965
 Barbaric acts of west Pakistan on East Pakistan
 India’s support to East Pakistan
 The Emergence of Bangladesh through Liberation War

Consequences
 On December 16th, 1971, Dhaka fell to the Mitro Bahini, the elite forces of the Mukti
Bahini and the Indian army
 In India, the war is fondly recalled as the nation's finest win, a testament to its military
prowess and superiority
 Politicians, as well as the armed forces, continue to make references to the war to indicate
India's strength vis-a-vis Pakistan
 In Pakistan, 1971 remains one of the most defining events in the nation's history
 Pakistan increased its defence spending and launched a nuclear program aimed at
developing a nuclear weapon.

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