India’s 1971 Intervention :

Abstract

Just War tradition is used to morally evaluate the warfare which nations wage against each other. This paper aims to employ Just War principles to the 1971 IndiaPakistan war, that witnessed humanitarian intervention by India in East Pakistan which later became Bangladesh. Whether Indian intervention during 1971 Bangladesh liberation war fulfils the criteria of ‘just’ humanitarian intervention? This paper aims to investigate this related question by examining India’s intervention in East Pakistan from the perspective of Just War Theory principles. The paper initially explains the theoretical concept of Just War theory and then explains the notion of humanitarian intervention within the realm of Just War tradition advocated by Michael Walzer. Further the paper provides a brief background of genesis of 1971 war and Pakistan’s claim to sovereignty over East Pakistan citing UN Charter. Paper then delves upon the arguments provided by the Indian side in favour of Just Humanitarian Intervention in the backdrop of increasing brutality by Pakistan. Paper further, broadly assesses India’s intervention in terms of Jus Ad Bellum and six principles associated with it and also Jus in Bello and its subsequent principles. Paper finally concludes that India’s Intervention was in conformity with Just War Principles.