In 1971 Bangladesh was following a foreign policy of distancing itself from India. Even then India helped Bangladesh because certain factors were bothering India too.

Decision taken by India to interfere  in Pakistan- India War of 1971 was due to security, political, strategic and humanitarian compulsions.

Humanitarian Crisis-

Pakistan military’s brutality on Bangladeshi’s led to widespread atrocities. More than 10 million refugees reached India which created a huge crises of resources in India. It was also destabilising border states West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya, this compelled India to act.

Political Crisis-

Instability in East Pakistan posed significant political challenges in front of Indian government managing the refugee crisis and also to take a strong stand against Pakistan’s atrocities. Failure in responding could have been politically damaging.

Security Crisis-

Unstable circumstances in East Pakistan lead to internal unrest in Indian North East states and conflicts across Pakistan bordering states could have led to cross border insurgencies and regional instability.

Strategic reasons-

Pakistan’s control over East Pakistan was seen as a geopolitical threat to India, also US-Pakistan ties were growing at that time during Cold War. Independence of Bangladesh would weaken and shift the regional balance of power and benefit India.

India’s interference in Bangladesh’s liberation was a calculated and strategic response to these certain compulsions. It solved the refugee crisis, also reduced Pakistan’s influence and altered geopolitical landscape in South Asia and enhancing India stand globally.