When Russia Stunned US & UK Naval Forces And Helped India Win The 1971 War
On August 9, 1971, India signed a 'Peace and Friendship' treaty with the Soviet Union to lay the foundations of a glorious victory in the war for the liberation of Bangladesh that took place three months later.
As Russia-Ukraine war rages on in eastern Europe, many are questioning why India is largely silent over the Russian invasion of a tiny country.
Looking back in time will give some clues.
On August 9, 1971, India signed a 'Peace and Friendship' treaty with the Soviet Union to lay the foundations of a glorious victory in the war for liberation of Bangladesh that took place three months later.
In 1971, as India faced an unacceptable refugee burden, it faced a dire situation. The US and Britain as well as China were on Pakistan's side in the upcoming conflict.
The only course open to India was to bring in the countervailing force of the Soviet Union on its side.
The treaty signed in New Delhi by Sardar Swaran Singh and the redoubtable Andrei Gromyko of the Soviet Union -- the foreign ministers of their respective nations -- ensured that India checkmated possible Anglo-American and Chinese help to Pakistan.
How the Russia helped India win the 1971 war
Task Force 74 was a naval task force that has existed twice. The first Task Force 74 was a mixed Allied force of Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and United States Navy ships which operated against Japanese forces from 1943 to 1945 during the Pacific campaign. The second Task Force 74 was assembled from the US Navy¡äs Seventh Fleet that was deployed to the Bay of Bengal by the Nixon administration in December 1971, at the height of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
The Soviet Union, which was actively backing Indian actions both politically and military during the war and likewise deployed two groups of cruisers and destroyers as well as a submarine armed with nuclear warheads in response to the American military presence in the area.
Leonid Brezhnev (right) and Indira Gandhi in Moscow during her 1976 visit to the Soviet Union.
The Indo-Soviet treaty had provided India with cover against any possible Chinese intervention in aid of Pakistan if and when the conflict precipitated. To the Pakistani leadership, it became clear that armed Indian intervention and secession of East Pakistan were becoming inevitable.
Pakistan launches Operation Chengiz Khan
On 3 December, Pakistan launched Operation Chengiz Khan, marking the official initiation of hostilities of the Indo-Pak war of 1971. The Indian response was a defensive military strategy in the western theatre while a massive, coordinated and decisive offensive thrust into the Eastern theatre. On 5 December, United States began attempts for a UN-sponsored ceasefire, which were twice vetoed by the USSR in the security council.
India extended her recognition of Bangladesh on 6 December.
On 8 December, Washington received intelligence reports that India was planning an offensive into West Pakistan.
It was in this situation that the United States dispatched a ten-ship naval task force, the US Task Force 74, from the Seventh Fleet off South Vietnam into the Bay of Bengal.
The task force was to be headed by USS Enterprise, at the time and still the largest aircraft carrier in the world.
The Enterprise weighing 75,000 tonnes was the largest nuclear-powered carrier in the world with 70 fighter aircraft. India's Navy was led by the 20,000 tonne INS Vikrant with 20 fighter aircrafts.
Agencies
At the same time, UK dispatched its aircraft carrier HMS Eagle in the Arabian Sea. If went according to the plan, India would be caught in 'pincer' attack. The US in Bay of Bengal, UK in the Arabian Sea, while Pakistan on land, India was caught.
The US and UK hoped that China would also attack India.
India sends SOS to Moscow
It quietly sent Moscow a request to activate a secret provision of the Indo-Soviet security treaty, under which Russia was bound to defend India in case of any external aggression.
To counter this two-pronged British-American threat, Russia dispatched a nuclear-armed flotilla from Vladivostok on December 13 under the overall command of Admiral Vladimir Kruglyakov, the Commander of the 10th Operative Battle Group (Pacific Fleet).
Though the Russian fleet comprised a good number of nuclear-armed ships and atomic submarines, their missiles were of limited range (less than 300 km). Hence, to effectively counter the British and American fleets the Russian commanders had to undertake the risk of encircling them to bring them within their target. This they did with military precision.
At this point, the Russians intercepted a communication from the commander of the British carrier battle group, Admiral Dimon Gordon, to the Seventh Fleet commander: ¡°Sir, we are too late. There are the Russian atomic submarines here, and a big collection of battleships.¡± The British ships fled towards Madagascar while the larger US task force stopped before entering the Bay of Bengal.
The 1971 war is considered to be modern India¡¯s finest hour, in military terms. The quick reaction of the Indian army, navy, and air force; a brass led by the legendary Sam Manekshaw; and ceaseless international lobbying by the political leadership worked well to set up the victory and liberation of Bangladesh.
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