The main reasons for the War of 1971 between India and Pakistan were:
(i) West Pakistan began to commit atrocities against the people of East Pakistan and this led to large flow of refugees from East Pakistan into India. This caused India to intervene in support of the people of East Pakistan.
(ii) Pakistan also attacked Indian border posts in Rajasthan, Kashmir and across the West Pakistan border. This caused India to retaliate in defence against the Pakistani forces. The Pakistani forces in East Pakistan surrendered to India and East Pakistan was liberated and emerged as a new country called ‘Bangladesh’.
