NEW DELHI– As Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi praised former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s decisive leadership during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, newly surfaced U.S. archival documents reveal a more complex picture—one where Indira Gandhi sought American intervention to halt Pakistan’s aggression rather than actively pursuing conflict.
According to records from the U.S. National Archives, a letter dated December 5, 1971—just two days after Pakistan launched an attack on India’s western front—shows that Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appealed directly to President Richard Nixon for assistance “in this hour of danger.”
The correspondence not only underscores Indira Gandhi’s preference for diplomatic resolution over warfare but also highlights the Congress-led government’s dependence on the United States to address rising hostilities with Pakistan.
The resurfaced document quickly became political fodder on Tuesday, with BJP leaders using it to counter the Congress party’s recent criticism of the Modi government. The Opposition had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of yielding to U.S. pressure during Operation Sindoor, claiming that Washington influenced India’s military decisions.
“Indira Gandhi sought U.S. help during wartime,” a senior BJP leader said. “In contrast, Prime Minister Modi’s government has acted independently, taking strong, unilateral action against Pakistan-based terror camps without succumbing to external pressure.”
In her letter to Nixon, Indira Gandhi wrote, “The government and the people of India seek your understanding and urge you to persuade Pakistan to desist forthwith from the policy of wanton aggression and military adventurism which it has unfortunately embarked upon.”
She added, “May I request Your Excellency to exercise your undoubted influence with the Government of Pakistan to stop their aggressive activities against India…” The letter is part of the Nixon Presidential Materials collection at the U.S. National Archives.
The timing of the letter’s emergence was notable, coming on the same day Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Modi administration during a Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor. The Congress leader alleged that the Modi government had restricted the military’s options, refrained from targeting Pakistani military assets, and even informed Islamabad of its intention not to escalate the conflict—actions he contrasted sharply with Indira Gandhi’s wartime leadership.
Rahul Gandhi argued that, unlike the current government, Indira Gandhi gave the armed forces a free hand in 1971—even as the U.S. deployed Task Force 74, including the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, to the Bay of Bengal in an attempt to intimidate India. (Source: IANS)
