Preferred Name
Aminul
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Date of Graduation
5-15-2025
Semester of Graduation
Spring
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Department of History
First Advisor
Dr. Michael Gubser
Second Advisor
Dr. Neel Amin
Third Advisor
Dr. David Dillard
Abstract
This thesis traces the dynamics relations between Bangladesh and the United States before, during and after the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. The thesis argues that during the Cold War era the US wanted to build good relations with Pakistan to curb communism in the Middle East and the South Asia. As a result, during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971, the Nixon administration did not support Bangladesh’s independence, even though US diplomats and other officials reported the ongoing genocide. Despite this fraught history and Bangladesh’s pro-Indian, pro-Soviet leanings, relations formed between independent Bangladesh and the United States partly because relations focused on giving and receiving needed economic aid. The US also realized Bangladesh’s importance in South Asia. The first chapter of the thesis examines the relationship between Pakistan and the United States prior to the 1971 independence of Bangladesh, then known as East Pakistan. It is found that the US-Pakistan relationship was strong because the US sought to halt the spread of Soviet influence in the Middle East and South Asia, and Pakistan was the best country for this purpose. Pakistan also got military equipment and aid from the US. The second Chapter discusses the United States’s role during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Since Pakistan was a strong U.S. ally, President Nixon did not take action against Pakistan regarding the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh, even though US employees from India and Bangladesh repeatedly sent information about genocide and urged a US government response. Some US general people and media also criticized Nixon. The Nixon administration wanted to build bilateral relations with China through Pakistan, and Nixon had a strong bond with Pakistani President Yahya Khan. The final chapter considered how the bilateral relations between the US and independent Bangladesh were formed. After its independence, Bangladesh was pro-Indian and pro-Soviet, and Nixon was anxious that Pakistan and China would be upset by the recognition of Bangladesh. However, under pressure from the media, senators, and in consideration of the new geopolitics, the Nixon government initiated diplomatic relations. Bangladesh required aid and assistance from Western Countries, which led to a gradual shift its policy from its dependence on India and the USSR.
