India (Arrival)

The Republic of India is a moderately large nation in South Asia, bordering the People's Republic of Asia to the north and north-east and Burma to the east. India was one of the unlikely benefactors of the Aash'n Arrival in 1963 and has since gone on to become a Great Power in the region and in the world itself. It has even managed to sort out diplomatic rows with large its communist neighbour, and this has brought lasting peace to the region.

Change of Fortune
India, in 1963, was a country still developing and would remain so, a primarily agricultural power that could not compete with the booming West and the self-sufficient East. The country was still a valueable cultural heartland and its goods were still bought, keeping it from economic collapse. However, mass-immigration and low-quality products kept it from making a mark on the world stage.

However, in the turbulent years of the 60s and 70s, India took crucial steps which set it up for become a major diplomatic and regional power. In 1961, it helped found the Non-Aligned Movement. Although not being able to provide investment to the countries, it did offer counselling and advice to many member states of NAM after Europe began to boom again due to the events post-braking day.

However, in 1965, war between India and Pakistan began over skirmishes in the Kasmir region of both countries. Both countries made significant progress into each other's territories, and gaining many passes. The Pakistanis counter-attacked the Indians in Operation Grand Slam but were forced back when the Indians called upon their airforce. The Pakistanis responded, but India opened a new front in Pakistani Punjab, forcing the Pakistanis to divert troops. Both sides lost some land but eventually the UN mediated a ceasfire and return to the status quo.

The Indians soon shut their border with East Pakistan after the war so no more Pakistani refugees and migratories could enter the country and put more strain on the economy. India returned to advising countries in the NAM, and began to gain some respect in the eyes of those countries. Many, like Ethiopia, put India's advise to good use and began to slowly free up their economy to foriegn investment and aid (in the form of medical supplies and support staff to build wells and dams for the country's clean water problem).

Diplomacy
By 1970, India's economy was growing at a good rate. Yet, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi watched neighbouring East Pakistan with caution. There was a surge in the support for an independent Bangladesh, and the only thing keeping millions of Bangladeshi's entering India was the closed border policy. Due to the closed border, the country had found more of its own employed and the economy started fairing better.

Yet, things changed in 1971. When the Awami League won a simple majority in Bangladesh, they claimed the right to form a government. This was denied by the West Pakistanis, who deployed troops to suppress dissent. However, the Bengalis did not co-operate and many of the Awami League escaped to India.

What happened next would change to direction of events on the subcontinent. Although the borders was closed, the government sympathised with the Bengalis. When General Tikka Khan began his campaign of mass murder and rape, directed mainly at the minority hindus, Indira Gandhi could not sit back and watch. She appealed to the international community - but they were too busy with the Aash'n, so she decided to tak matters into her own hands. Opening the border between East Pakistan and India, refugees entered by the millions. They were given refuge and food, and it is said it was in these camps where a small movement of Budrahekism started.

India soon funded the creation of the Mukti Bahini, a move completely supported by the exiled Awami League.