The Indo-Pak War in 1965 and Global Power Dynamics

The force comes in when diplomacy is exhausted', writes Z.A Bhutto in The Myth of Independence. The truth of this quote is apparent in the 1965 War between Indo-Pak when the concerns and doubts were pushed beyond the diplomatic premise. The incident had a wide-ranging impact on South Asia. One can examine the changes in the power balance, the political and geo-political manoeuvrings, and the involvement of the big powers that ruled the region.

On September 15, 1965, India was able to strike Pakistan owing to Pakistan's provocations by conducting operation Gibraltar in the Indian-held Kashmir. In the aftermath, Pakistan invested everything it had and its capabilities in defending itself against the attacks of a stronger adversary. The war lasted 16 days and was followed by an assembly of the leaders in Tashkent in 1966. In the signed document, a bilateral agreement was reached in 1966 between India and Pakistan in which the troops would take their positions before the war.

The 1965 War wasn't a one-time event. A complex sequence of events caused the extreme tensions of 1965 that resulted in war and conflict. There were many aspects of the incident. However, we only wanted to examine the diplomatic direction. Following the Second World War, the nation's community was divided into two parts, i.e. the Capitalist bloc, led by the USA, in contrast to the Communist bloc, ruled by the USSR. The fight for supremacy and power between these two groups caused numerous conflicts across the globe and at various periods. Korean conflict (1950-53) and then the Vietnam War (1955-75) were instances of prolonged conflict between Capitalists as well as the Communists. Both wanted to expand and expand their influence and power wherever they could. South Asia was also one of the regions that they competed for.

To grasp the fundamental nature of diplomatic relations before and during the War of 1965, it is essential to know and appreciate the relationship between the USSR and the USA, China and USA, China and USSR, India and USSR and Pakistan and India.

At the time of the USSR and the USA, an alliance formed between the two countries was shattered by a long-lasting conflict and distrust for one another. Both were involved in the proxy war in Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan. The USA tried to limit the increasing popularity of Communism across the globe and also to stop the Russian government from establishing Communist regimes across continents. However, the USSR wanted to take over the containment efforts of the USA and create revolutionary regimes founded on Communism throughout the world. Because China was the USSR's first and most powerful ally, however, China was on the best relations with the USA. In the Korean War, USSR was not directly involved. China was fighting the Americans in the name of the Russians. During this conflict, China had to pay an immense price in terms of its economy and resources. In 1952 (during the Korean War), Stalin was killed. Mao Tse-tung was able to take over the world of Communism as the lawful leader following Stalin due to his age. However, his popularity could have been higher. Russians weren't ready to relinquish their supremacy in this Communist world. Another issue that enraged China Chinese was their massive defeat during the Korean War and less acknowledgement from the USSR. From then on, China began to devise its foreign policy.

Next is the relationship between the significant powerhouses and South Asian powers. India was granted independence in 1947 under the guidance of their Imperial Masters. From the beginning, Prime Minister Nehru was a vocal advocate for economic equality as one of the main goals of the Indian government. His beliefs on the social economy were apparent, and he naturally was inclined towards Russians. The Russians were extremely welcoming of his visit. However, Nehru never got into an alliance with either one of these two Systems. He always took advantage of both blocs but did not accept their supremacy. India maintained friendly relations with China and China as well. However, Pakistan joined the Western alliance and was a member of Capitalism, which resulted in the development of antagonistic relations between the USSR and Pakistan. With China, Pakistan was not on good terms because of the American decision not to recognize the Socialist government that Pakistan was required to accept.

In 1962 tensions with India and China became strained on border delineation. Since both the USA and the USSR could not resolve their grievances with China and the USSR, they backed India in its fight against China. They gave large amounts of aid to the economy and military. India was confident due to its strength in the military and the extraordinary power of its support. Then it entered a border dispute with China, where she was humiliated. India, before that loss, was using the fear and hostility from the USA and the USSR to fulfil her excessive demands. India raised the bar of her demands and demanded more. When she lost, she could not see anything other than a grim future.

In the meantime, she was making up stories about her fears of the Chinese threat. As a result, she was provided with additional resources. When Pakistan stressed her "allies" and " allies, " they refused her assistance. Pakistan was watching the entire situation. It made its fears public on the record, declaring that the economic and military aid would be utilized against Pakistan instead of China, but it was all for nothing. USA and UK did not stop aid to India, nor were they giving aid to Pakistan similarly to treat Pakistan with courtesy.

While it was a member of itself at the hands of a larger and more formidable enemy with huge, the war lasted just sixteen days. Yet, it considerably impacted South Asian diplomatic relations. Nearly five states changed their policy, i.e. Pakistan and China have established friendly relations with one another, India and China failed to agree with the two countries, etc. In the end, Pakistan overcame these difficult conditions without help or assistance.

Because of America's indifference, Pakistan began to look forward to alliances with other countries and developed good relations with Muslim nations within the next ten years. It also stopped being a part of the Commonwealth and other alliances for defence.

The military exploited the 1965 War to fulfil its mission. It was a manipulative war that brought them into a state of hate and animosity towards their neighbours. This hatred has become the biggest obstacle in developing a friendly relationship with India.