A 1971 Reminder To Trump: ‘America Supplied Pakistan With Arms At Concessional Rates’ – Hypocrite Much?

For the past few days, US President Donald Trump has been launching attacks against India over its oil trade with Russia, accusing New Delhi of funding Moscow’s war on Ukraine. But while Trump continues to do so, he seems to have forgotten how the United States backed Pakistan during the 1971 war.

India and Pakistan fought a 13-day war in 1971in which New Delhi emerged the clear winner with a decisive victory. This ultimately led to the creation of Bangladesh, which was part of Pakistan (then East Pakistan) until then. Not only did US supply arms to Islamabad during the war, it did so at concessional rates.

While the United States supported Pakistan ahead of the war —as news clippings shared by the Army show— it also supported Pakistan during the war.

A 1971 reminder: How Indian Army highlighted US’ hypocrisy

On Tuesday, the Indian Army shared a historical news article highlighting that the US provided Pakistan with over $2 billion in arms in the two decades leading up to the 1971 war between India and Pakistan. Interestingly, the post came after Trump cautioned India about its purchase of Russian oil, suggesting a considerable increase in tariffs.

The Eastern Command of the Indian Army shared this information on X, using the hashtag “KnowFacts” and the caption “This Day That Year” Build Up of War – 05 Aug 1971.

A news clipping from August 5, 1971, reported that the US supplied Pakistan with fighter aircraft, missiles, tanks, submarines, and artillery between 1954 and 1971. Defence Production Minister V.C Shukla had informed Parliament that the US had armed Pakistan “at throw-away prices,” even following the 1971 crackdown in East Pakistan.

The newspaper clipping states, “V.C. Shakla, Minister for Defence Production, told in the Rajya Sabha that precautions had been taken to see that there was no accretion to Pakistan’s military strength. All possible sources of Supply, including NATO Powers, had been contacted, he said. While precise information on the arms supplied to Pakistan after March 26 (when it cracked down on Bangladesh) was not available, Mr Shukla said that China had supplied “large quantities” of non-lethal items. Contracted for before March 25. had been supplied by the USA, according to Washington reports.”

How much arms did the USA supplied to Pakistan?

As per the second column of the news clipping, “Mr. Shukla said that both China and the USA supplied Pakistan with arms at concessional rates of “throw-away” prices.” The report further added that the US arms shipments to Pakistan since 1954 were valued at a massive $2 billion.

While US President continues to target India over supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine, it speaks nothing against the crimes on innocent Gaza civilians, who have been under attack from Israel since the last 22 months.

Trump’s latest tariff tantrum: How much tax he levied on India?

While Trump had already declared a 25% tariff on Indian goods arriving in the US, he has now announced an additional 25 per cent tariff, citing India’s oil purchase from Moscow. In an executive order signed on August 6, the US President said the move against India is in response to its continued purchase of Russian oil.

The 9-section order outlines the details of various aspects, like the background, the tariffs, the scope of duties and stacking, among others.

Responding to the same, New Delhi once again asserted that the idea to import Russian oil was in larger interests and based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India.

 “It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” the MEA statement added.