Liaquat-Nehru Pact (1950): Bengal Riots and Crisis Diplomacy |
Both India and Pakistan have been in conflict with each other since the partition of the subcontinent. From domestic to external affairs, the policies of both states collide with each other, often creating uncertainty and chaos. With the seeds of enmity already sown during the time of partition, the initial years witnessed intense communal riots in the two countries. The partition of the subcontinent was already made in a hurry under Sir Cyril Radcliffe, handing over the territories that were already made part of Pakistan in the June 1947 partition plan.
Likewise, in the case of princely states, India coercively annexed those territories that were willing to join Pakistan, including Junagadh, Hyderabad, Jammu and Kashmir, etc. It seems like both countries were sitting on a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest flicker, which was proved by the 1950 communal riots. Minorities on both sides were viciously targeted. The governments of both states retreated to diplomatic resolution and signed the Liaquat-Nehru Pact or Delhi Pact in April 1950. In the short term, the agreement succeeded to some extent but lost its relevance in the long term.
The escalating enmity towards the minorities compelled PM Liaquat Ali to take bold measures in a bid to resolve the problem. To solve the problem, the prime minister issued a statement that described the solution and proposed a meeting with his Indian counterpart. The two leaders had a meeting in Delhi on April 2, 1950. After six days, on April 8, 1950, they came to a unanimous agreement that was solely based on minority rights. As a result, the agreement was known as the Liaquat-Nehru agreement in diplomatic circles and commonly known as the Delhi Pact.
Why Was the Pact Signed?
The Liaquat-Nehru agreement was signed in a bid to protect the dignity, property, and lives of the various minority groups within their respective countries. They concluded that kidnapped women belonging to the minority group would be returned to their families and forced conversion was unacceptable. The spread of fake news and rumors posed a significant threat to both administrations even then. For this reason, the deal also included a clause requiring stringent supervision and immediate steps to stop the spread........