POBNEWS24, Dhaka Dec 6, 2025 : On December 6, 1971, friendly country India put the final nail in the coffin of defeat of the Pakistani invaders on the battlefield. On this bloody day of 1971, India officially recognized Bangladesh as an independent country. This recognition further confirmed the destination of Bangladesh’s liberation struggle. Along with the battlefield battles, the invaders were also defeated in the diplomatic war. The freedom-loving boys of Bengal were counting down the days to take their place on the world map as an independent sovereign Bangladesh.
Earlier, on December 4, the acting President of the Mujibnagar government, Syed Nazrul Islam and Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed jointly signed a request to Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to recognize Bangladesh. The Indira Gandhi government decided to recognize Bangladesh on this day in 1971. Indira Gandhi, in her return letter, announced the recognition of Bangladesh and wrote, ‘I am happy to inform you that in the context of the current situation, the Government of India has decided to recognize you. …No matter how long the path may be and no matter how much sacrifice our people may have to make in the future, we will accept the garland of victory.’
This recognition by India was also significant in the international arena. To prevent their defeat, the Pakistani occupying forces were giving their death blow on the battlefield and the Pakistani government was giving their death blow on the diplomatic level. But like on the battlefield, one defeat after another befell the Pakistani junta on the diplomatic level as well. On the other hand, by conquering one district after another in the frontal war, the allied forces and freedom fighters gradually started moving forward to conquer Dhaka.
India’s recognition increased the morale of the Liberation Army manifold. With the desire to achieve a new state, that is, a homeland, joy spread in the houses of the cities and villages, and the Liberation Army camps. The Pakistani invaders’ air force, which started a bloody and brutal war, was completely destroyed. According to the Indian Air Force, 230 attacks were launched on Pakistani bases in 12 hours. About 50 tons of bombs were dropped on Tejgaon and Kurmitola air bases. In other words, the entire sky came under the control of the Bangladesh-India joint command. The sky of Bengal became independent.
Not only in the sky, but also on the ground, the freedom fighters and allied forces advanced towards Dhaka with bravery. Pakistani commanders including Niazi understood that the allied forces would advance towards Dhaka. Therefore, Niazi, after consulting with other Pakistani commanders, sent orders everywhere that day – ‘Pull Back’. Receiving such an order from Niazi, the morale of the Pakistani invaders of the entire Bangladesh was completely broken.
That is why today is a memorable day in India. Every year, the Indian government has been celebrating Friendship Day nationally, remembering this day.
