India slams Pakistan over 1971 Operation Searchlight atrocities
New Delhi: India on Friday said Pakistan continues to remain in denial over the atrocities committed during Operation Searchlight in 1971, including the systematic killing of millions of innocent Bangladeshi civilians and large-scale sexual violence against women that forced millions to seek refuge in India.
Speaking during the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan’s actions had shaken the conscience of the world and reiterated that India supported Bangladesh in its pursuit of justice.
The remarks came in response to queries regarding a message issued to mark Genocide Day in Bangladesh, which referred to the 1971 events as a pre-planned massacre and one of the most heinous genocides in modern history. The message highlighted attacks on civilians, intellectuals and students, including incidents at Dhaka University, Pilkhana and Rajarbagh Police Lines.
The development is also being viewed as a notable shift in the narrative of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which has earlier faced criticism over its position on the 1971 events.
Meanwhile, the MEA also informed that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is in France to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on March 26–27. During the visit, he underlined the need for reforms in the UN Security Council, improving peacekeeping mechanisms and strengthening humanitarian supply chains.
Jaishankar also held meetings with his counterparts from France, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany and Ukraine on the sidelines of the meeting.
On the West Asia situation and energy security concerns, the MEA said four India-flagged LPG tankers have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz. India is also maintaining contact with key regional stakeholders, including Iran, to ensure energy supplies.
The spokesperson added that there is currently no requirement for evacuation of Indian nationals from Gulf countries and that regular commercial flights between India and the region are operating normally.
