Scene 1: The War Without Gunfire
Location: Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi – September 1971
The long teak conference table was surrounded by maps, press clippings, and intelligence briefs. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sat at the head, flanked by Foreign Minister Sardar Swaran Singh, P.N. Haksar (Principal Secretary), and Ambassador K. B. Lall.
A heated discussion was underway.
Indira Gandhi:
"We are fighting two wars: one on the border, and one in global consciousness. If we win the former and lose the latter, we still lose."
Swaran Singh:
"The refugee crisis has softened hearts, but the West—especially the U.S.—won't pressure Pakistan. Nixon sees Bhutto as a Cold War ally."
Haksar:
"The UN route will stall. The Security Council is a graveyard for South Asian issues. We need to build our own coalition—Europe, Scandinavia, Africa. Play up the human rights angle."
Indira: (Firmly)
"Dispatch envoys to Sweden, Norway, France, and Canada. Have them show footage of the camps. I want every leader to see what Yahya Khan has done to his people."
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Scene 2: Islamabad's Game of Denial
Location: Foreign Office, Islamabad – Same Day
President Yahya Khan stood in his military tunic, arms crossed, glaring at a stack of intelligence reports. Foreign Secretary Sultan Mohammed Khan spoke cautiously.
Sultan Khan:
"Sir, India's narrative is gaining ground. European press is flooding with images from refugee camps. BBC aired interviews with Bengali women—"
Yahya Khan: (Interrupting)
"Lies. All of it. India manufactures their agony, packages it, and sells it to the West like a sob story. We're dealing with traitors, not victims."
Brigadier Majeed (Military Intelligence):
"Sir, we should counter with our own media blitz. Emphasize Indian interference, the so-called 'covert war' by RAW. Frame this as India breaking our internal sovereignty."
Yahya Khan:
"And the Americans?"
Sultan Khan:
"Still friendly. Kissinger believes we're the bridge to China. Bhutto is scheduled to meet him again next week."
Yahya smirked.
Yahya Khan:
"Then let's make it clear. We stand with Washington. And if Delhi wants to dance on borders, we'll dance harder."
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Scene 3: A Meeting Behind the Curtain
Location: White House, Washington D.C. – October 1971
Henry Kissinger reviewed a memo from the CIA. President Richard Nixon entered the Oval Office with his usual guarded expression.
Nixon:
"So, what do our friends in South Asia want now?"
Kissinger:
"India wants us to condemn Pakistan. They've been parading refugees across every embassy lawn. But Yahya is cooperating with us on China—he arranged my secret visit to Beijing, remember?"
Nixon:
"I remember. And I don't like Indira. Too self-righteous. She'll bring the whole region into war just to show the world she's Florence Nightingale with nukes."
Kissinger:
"She's cornering us diplomatically. The Soviets are warming up to her."
Nixon:
"Then we stick with Yahya. Quietly. Publicly, we remain 'concerned.' Let's not rock the boat while we're talking to Mao."
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Scene 4: The Red Road to Delhi
Location: Kremlin, Moscow – Late October 1971
Indian Foreign Minister Swaran Singh was welcomed by Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin and Andrei Gromyko (Foreign Minister). Over warm tea and protocol smiles, cold strategy was discussed.
Kosygin:
"Comrade Indira is correct. Your borders are being overwhelmed. But war is dangerous—especially with U.S. and China hovering."
Swaran Singh:
"Comrade Kosygin, we do not seek war—but we will not permit our sovereignty to drown in seven million cries. If India must strike to prevent collapse, we seek assurance… that no one will stab us in the back."
Gromyko:
"You're referring to China."
Swaran Singh:
"And the Americans."
Kosygin sipped his tea, then set it down.
Kosygin:
"Let us draw up an agreement. A treaty of peace and friendship."
That month, the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation was signed. It was not a military alliance—but it made intentions clear. If the U.S. and China backed Pakistan, the Soviets would not remain idle.
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Scene 5: Letters and Lies
Location: UN Headquarters, New York – November 1971
Pakistani and Indian diplomats sparred in intense General Assembly debates. At a press briefing, Pakistani Ambassador Agha Shahi addressed reporters.
Agha Shahi:
"India claims to protect refugees, but arms rebels and violates borders. This is aggression masquerading as compassion."
From the crowd, Indian Journalist Kamla Bhatia raised her voice.
Kamla:
"And what of the deaths in Dhaka, sir? The systematic targeting of Hindus? The Red Cross confirms mass graves!"
Agha Shahi:
"Lies. India wants to balkanize Pakistan. They exploit local insurgency and call it liberation."
Meanwhile, India's U.N. Representative Samar Sen released photographic dossiers—villages burned, raped women, satellite photos of army troop movements.
The battle of narratives raged. In every embassy hallway, a quiet cold war unfolded with every handshake and whisper.
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Scene 6: China Stays Silent – But Watches
Location: Zhongnanhai, Beijing – November 1971
Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai met with the Pakistani Ambassador, Huang Hua, in a room adorned with red banners and iron silence.
Huang Hua:
"Pakistan is loyal. But if India attacks in the East, they risk dividing your southern flank. Will China respond?"
Zhou Enlai:
"We admire Pakistan's courage. But we calculate before we leap."
He turned and looked at a map of South Asia pinned on the wall.
Zhou:
"If India advances too far, we'll make noise near Sikkim. But we won't trigger American interference by direct war."
Huang Hua:
"And the Soviets?"
Zhou:
"Let them freeze their friendship in treaty paper. Real power doesn't march—it waits. Watch how the tiger plays."
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Scene 7: A Woman's Voice in the West
Location: Oxford Union, United Kingdom – November 1971
Indira Gandhi stood at the podium in front of a packed hall of British academics, students, and diplomats.
Indira Gandhi:
"We are accused of planning war. Let me say clearly: India did not create seven million refugees. India did not burn homes or silence children. We received them when others watched. Is compassion now a crime?"
Thunderous applause followed.
Afterwards, British MP Peter Shore pulled her aside.
Peter Shore:
"Madam Prime Minister, you may not win American favor. But you've won the world's conscience. We'll raise your case in Parliament."
Indira nodded quietly.
Indira Gandhi:
"And when the guns begin to speak, remember—India tried words first."
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Scene 8: Bhutto's Last Hand
Location: New York, Pakistani Diplomatic Residence – December 1, 1971
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, charismatic and calculating, leaned over a globe as Agha Shahi briefed him.
Bhutto:
"Yahya doesn't realize—we've already lost East Pakistan. What's left is dignity."
Agha Shahi:
"Dignity won't shield us from Soviet tanks or Indian MiGs. Shall we appeal again to Nixon?"
Bhutto:
"Do it. And tell China to rattle sabers. I will head to the U.N. myself. If we must lose land, we'll win sympathy."
He looked up with steely eyes.
Bhutto:
"They cannot rewrite our borders without staining their hands."
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Closing Scene: The Chessboard is Set
Location: South Block, War Room, New Delhi – December 2, 1971
General Manekshaw, arms behind his back, stood with Indira, watching intelligence photos pinned to a corkboard—troop movements, satellite imagery, radar signals.
Indira Gandhi:
"So, the world is watching."
Manekshaw:
"Yes, ma'am. But not acting."
Indira:
"Then we will act. The war will not begin with our declaration—but with our resolve."
The camera of history panned back, capturing the three major powers—USA, USSR, and China—positioned on the grand chessboard, while India and Pakistan stood in the center, both armed, both burning.
The board was set. The pieces moved. And the game turned deadly.
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End of Chapter