ABSTRACT
The Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 was the outgrowth of civil strife in the geographically divided state of Pakistan. This domestic conflict developed because of the failure of the governing class “to create a sense of political participation, partnership and economic justice amongst the Bengalis of East Pakistan.” Writing after the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, one noted American expert commented that “few if any postwar American policy ventures have brought forth as immediate and widespread opposition as the Nixon administration’s policy toward the Indian Subcontinent during 1971.” An important American policy decision involved the reduction of arms transfers to Pakistan. The Administration took a decision, to hold back the supply of military sales and to stop the issuance of any new licenses for arms. In contrast to the Administration’s position, Congress wanted to concentrate more on refugee relief operations in India than for the people in East Bengal.
