India

As a humanitarian gesture, the neighboring country of India opened its borders to allow the huge influx of refugees who had to flee to escape systemic genocide and destruction being carried out by the Pakistanis. In spite of the colossal economic burden on them, the Government of India organised shelters for estimated 10 million refuges in make-shift refugee camps, and gave them food and medical aid. Some national and international Aid Agencies also assisted.

The Indian Government also helped in training the freedom fighters and gave logistical support to the Muktibahini. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi toured major world capitals in support of the Bangladesh cause and for the resolution of the humanitarian crisis. After the Pakistani Army attacked India’s western borders on December 3, all out war broke out and the Government of India, on December 6, 1971 gave recognition to the Government of Bangladesh. The Allied Command of the Eastern Headquarters of the Indian Army together with the Mukti Bahini started the final assault. The Pakistani Army formally surrendered to the Allied Command on December 16, 1971 at 5.01 P.M. Bangladesh time. According to the Indian Government Sources, 1421 Indian Army personnel were killed in the operations in the Eastern Sector during the War.

Indian Political parties of all shades and opinion and people in general have been highly supportive of the Bangladesh Liberation
War. Intellectuals and professionals campaigned for the cause. Cultural personalities throughout India organised programmes and even demonstrated in the streets.
 

The Soviet Union and Socialist Countries

In the polarized world of the seventies, The Soviet Union and other Socialist countries played a critical role in favour of the independence of Bangladesh. In the early days of the Liberation War, President Podgorny on April 3, 1971 in a letter to President Yahya Khan expressed concern over the tragic events in East Pakistan and the arrest of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Following Indira Gandhi's visit to The Soviet Union, The Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship was signed on August 7, declaring the readiness of the two countries to protect each other's sovereignty. In December 1971, when the Allied Command was marching towards capital Dhaka, the Soviet Union repeatedly vetoed moves by the United States in the UN Security Council to stop the hostilities and thus ensured final victory on 16th. December.
 

United States of America

The Nixon administration never condemned the mass killings and destruction being carried out in East Pakistan but supported the evil designs of the Pakistani Military Rulers. Recently declassified White House and State Department records strongly suggest that the US Administration's overtures toward the Pakistani Military regime was primarily predicated on their global strategic interest to reward Pakistan for its support in developing the newly emerging US-China Axis. In the final days of the Liberation

War, the US seventh fleet was moved into the Bay of Bengal, heading towards shores of Bangladesh. The US Ambassador to the UN Security Council moved repeated resolutions to tactically thwart the onward march of the Allied Forces and towards final victory.
 

China

Government of People's Republic of China supported the Pakistan Government. They also supported Pakistan and US position on the crisis in various international forums. It is noteworthy that China was supplier of major hardware to the Pakistan Army. A new US-China axis in the global political arena was being formulated during the period.
 

CITIZENS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

USA

The role of the US citizens was completely different from the policies adopted by the US Government to deal with the Bangladesh crisis. Many Senators and Congressmen took strong positions in favour of the Bangladesh Cause. Senator Edward Kennedy flew to India to visit the refugee camps and condemned the Pakistani atrocities in his discussion with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The US dockworkers at the seaport of Philadelphia put up a human barrier against the shipment of arms to Pakistan. In a most exceptional move, 20 American officials of Dhaka Consul General's Office, US AID and the USIS, and endorsed by The Consul General, Archer K. Blood sent a note of dissent to State Department against policies of US administration in East Pakistan.
 

Non resident Bangladeshis

Bengalees from East Pakistan living in particularly in the western countries organized powerful campaigns to create awareness and inform governments and public leaders of atrocities perpetrated by Pakistan military and of the necessity of supporting the independence of Bangladesh. They also raised funds for Bangladesh. They were largely successful in this mission.

United Kingdom

On receipt of information of genocidal attack on 25th March, non-resident Bengalees organized protest rallies in major cities of UK. A huge rally was held on 4th April at Hyde Park in London and a memorandum was submitted to Prime Minister Edward Heath's office at 10, Downing Street. On April 24, at a meeting held at Coventry, the Steering Committee of The Action Committee for The People's Republic of Bangladesh was formed with Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury as Chairman. They also formed a Trust Fund with Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, John Stonehouse, MP and Donald Chesworth as Trustees. Funds were sent to help refugees and support the freedom fighters.

United States

On March 21, 1971, The East Pakistan League of America was renamed as Bangladesh League of America. A huge rally was held on March 29 at the pavement of Capitol Hill in Washington DC. A Memorandum was submitted to President Nixon and the UN Secretary General, U Thant. They sent letters to all leading Senators and Congressmen bringing to light the atrocities committed by Pakistan and for supporting the independence of Bangladesh. Funds were collected and sent to support Liberation War. They also regularly published Newsletters on updated information regarding the Liberation War. 22 Bengalee Diplomats working in the Pakistan Embassy in USA defected, expressing their allegiance to Bangladesh government.