Lesson 4/44 min
Recognition of Bangladesh
The first two to recognise
- On 6 December 1971 Bhutan and India recognised Bangladesh
- India announced its recognition in Parliament; Indira Gandhi's letter to Tajuddin Ahmad is dated the same day
- Bhutan's message went by wireless to Bangladesh's acting president Syed Nazrul Islam
Watch out: The order is disputed. In 2014 Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry said both recognised on 6 December, with Bhutan a few hours earlier, and the exam books also put Bhutan first. But the 1971 Mujibnagar Government documents and Tajuddin Ahmad's radio speech of 8 December name India first, and some sources date Bhutan's message 7 December. If asked about the order, give the book answer (Bhutan), but know the dispute exists.
Dates of recognition
| Date | Country | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6 December 1971 | Bhutan and India | The first two |
| 11 January 1972 | East Germany | First European country |
| 24 January 1972 | Soviet Union (Russia) | First of the five permanent Security Council members |
| 1 February 1972 | Senegal | First African country |
| 4 February 1972 | United Kingdom | Second of the permanent five |
| 14 February 1972 | France | Third of the permanent five |
| 4 April 1972 | United States | Fourth of the permanent five |
| 8 July 1972 | Iraq | First Arab country |
| 22 February 1974 | Pakistan | Around the OIC summit |
| 16 August 1975 | Saudi Arabia | — |
| 31 August 1975 | China | Last of the permanent five |
Watch out: Some sources give 25 January 1972 for the Soviet Union (the day diplomatic relations were set up); the reference lists give 24 January. US recognition is 4 April 1972, the date also given in US State Department records.
Memory trick: Order of the permanent five: Russia (January 1972) → UK (4 February) → France (14 February) → USA (April 1972) → China (1975).
Support and opposition abroad
- 1 August 1971: the Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden, New York, organised by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar
- The American singer Bob Dylan took part; Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan played ‘Bangla Dhun’
- The money raised went to relief through UNICEF
- In 1971 the United States and China sided with Pakistan; the Soviet Union stood with India and Bangladesh
- In 1972 China vetoed Bangladesh's application for UN membership
Check yourself
When did Pakistan recognise Bangladesh?
At a glance
- 1
On 6 December 1971 Bhutan and India recognised Bangladesh; which came first is disputed, and the books put Bhutan first.
- 2
First European country East Germany (11 January 1972), first African country Senegal (1 February 1972), first Arab country Iraq (8 July 1972).
- 3
The permanent five: Russia (24 January 1972), UK (4 February), France (14 February), USA (4 April 1972), China (31 August 1975).
- 4
Pakistan on 22 February 1974; Saudi Arabia on 16 August 1975.
- 5
The Concert for Bangladesh: 1 August 1971, New York; organised by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar; money went through UNICEF.