After Trump's Tariff Threat to India, Indian Army Shares 1971 Newspaper Clipping, Questions US Policy of Arming Pakistan.
Trump Tariff: Amid threats of tariffs by US President Donald Trump against India, the Indian Army has shared a crucial page from history on social media, sending a b message. The Eastern Command posted a newspaper clipping from August 5, 1971, on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that the US had provided over $2 billion worth of arms to Pakistan between 1954 and 1971. This clipping is based on a statement given in the Rajya Sabha by the then Minister of State for Defence, VC Shukla.
Army Shares Historical News
The clipping posted by the Army is not only a historical document but also exposes the dual policy of the United States that has been against India for decades. The newspaper report states that by supplying arms to Pakistan, the US laid the foundation for the wars of 1965 and 1971. At that time, Pakistan had the support of both the United States and China.
America, the Supplier of Arms to Pakistan
Trump recently warned India that if it continues to purchase oil from Russia, the US may impose tariffs of more than 25 percent on India. This warning comes at a time when the US itself is prioritizing its interests in global trade. Meanwhile, its strategic partnership with Pakistan and the history of supplying arms have now come to the fore.
Trump's Threat and Indian Reaction
The Indian government has responded to Trump's warning in clear terms. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that India purchases oil from diverse sources for its energy security and does not depend on any single country. It was also stated that when India started buying oil from Russia, the US itself had justified it. Threatening over the same policy now is not appropriate.
54-Year-Old Document, Still Equally Relevant Today
The newspaper clipping from August 5, 1971, posted by the Army shows how the US was preparing Pakistan for war. This was the time when India had to fight Pakistan for the independence of Bangladesh. According to VC Shukla's statement, the US sought permission to supply arms to Pakistan from NATO countries and the Soviet Union.
Historical Context of the 1971 War
The 1971 war was a decisive moment in Indian history. This war laid the foundation for the creation of Eastern Pakistan as the independent nation of Bangladesh. The US and China stood with Pakistan at that time. But India won the war with its strategic partnership with Russia and its military capabilities.
Exposing America's Dual Policy
This is not the first time that the US has supported Pakistan against India. From the 1950s to the 2000s, the US provided Pakistan with weapons, funds, and training. The aim was to strengthen its strategic position in Asia, but the biggest loss was suffered by India.
Today's India, No Longer Sits Silently
The current India not only responds but also brings forth old history when the time comes. The clipping posted by the Army shows that India is not going to come under any global pressure now. Trump's threats have been answered with historical evidence, in which the role of the US is clear.
Pakistan Continues to Receive Concessions
While the Trump administration threatened India with tariffs, it maintained the concessions being given to Pakistan. The tariff rate for Pakistan was reduced to 19 percent, while there was talk of increasing this rate for India. This exposes the discrimination in America's trade policy.
