India, Bangladesh recollect 1971 war

New Delhi, December 16

India and Bangladesh today recollected the creation of Bangladesh and the decisive victory of the Indian armed forces over Pakistan 45 years ago. On December 16, 1971, 93,000 Pakistan troops under Lt Gen AAK Niazi had surrendered to the Indian Army.

The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library along with the India Foundation organised a seminar on the “1971 India-Pakistan war — Liberation of Bangladesh”. A special pictorial exhibition and seminar was opened to showcase key elements of the war.

Gen VK Singh (retd) and Mofazzal Hussain Choudhury, who participated in the war in different capacities, shared the stage. Gen Singh fought the war as a young officer of the Indian Army, while Choudhury was part of the Mukti Bahini — a pro-independence militia in East Pakistan.

In the audience sat greying veterans of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. President Pranab Mukherjee, in a recorded message, hailed the relations between India and Bangladesh. He lauded the “able and mature leadership of Sheikh Bangabandhu (Mujibur) Rahman”, describing him as the father of Bangladesh. — TNS