A Tri-Perspective Analysis of the 1971 Indo-Pak War: Individual State and Systemic Dimensions

Abstract

The present study aims to explain the 1971 Indo-Pak War using Kenneth Waltz’s three images of war. It employs individual state and systemic lenses for in-depth analysis. The analysis starts at an individual level with a specific focus on the actions decisions and personal traits of key leaders such as Indira Gandhi Yahya Khan and Mujibur Rahman. A state-level analysis also looks into political dynamics within India and Pakistan to see how domestic politics regime type and internal pressures shaped each country’s strategies and decisions. In addition to these decisions or actions by key leaders, this research recognizes the significant role of systemic forces. Going further than the systemic level is an examination of the broader international context including the role played by global power dynamics alliances as well as geopolitical strategies. This study gives a detailed account of why the war happened and its aftermath.