'Firing shells at Pakistan not a clear objective, liberating Bangladesh was': Shashi Tharoor on why 1971 can't be compared to 2025
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | May 11, 2025, 12.46 PM IST
'Firing shells at Pakistan not a clear objective, liberating Bangladesh was': Shashi Tharoor on why 1971 can't be compared to 2025
NEW DELHI: As India and Pakistan agreed to halt military actions across all fronts following a crucial DGMO-level conversation, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor cautioned against drawing parallels between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response and Indira Gandhi's leadership during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.
In a video posted by news agency ANI, Tharoor remarked, "1971 was a great achievement, Indira Gandhi rewrote the map of the subcontinent, but the circumstances were different. Bangladesh was fighting a moral cause and liberating Bangladesh was a clear objective."
Responding to social media comparisons, he added, "Just keeping on firing shells at Pakistan is not a clear objective."
The 1971 Indo-Pak War, which led to the formation of Bangladesh, was a landmark moment during Indira Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister.
India played a pivotal role in supporting the East Pakistan independence movement, and the conflict escalated after Pakistan initiated airstrikes on Indian airbases.
Indira Gandhi’s decisive leadership was key to India’s military success and the eventual emergence of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation.
In a video posted by news agency ANI, Tharoor remarked, "1971 was a great achievement, Indira Gandhi rewrote the map of the subcontinent, but the circumstances were different. Bangladesh was fighting a moral cause and liberating Bangladesh was a clear objective."
Responding to social media comparisons, he added, "Just keeping on firing shells at Pakistan is not a clear objective."
The 1971 Indo-Pak War, which led to the formation of Bangladesh, was a landmark moment during Indira Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister.
India played a pivotal role in supporting the East Pakistan independence movement, and the conflict escalated after Pakistan initiated airstrikes on Indian airbases.
Indira Gandhi’s decisive leadership was key to India’s military success and the eventual emergence of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation.