Indian Politicians Pay Tribute to Troops on Vijay Diwas, Anniversary of the 1971 Indo-Pak War

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with President Droupadi Murmu and other top politicians on Friday paid tributes to the brave troops of 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.

Paying homage to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in combat, Prime Minister Modi noted that “the nation will always be indebted to the armed forces.”

Expressing gratitude toward the fallen heroes, President Murmu said that “stories of their unparalleled courage and sacrifice for the nation continue to inspire every Indian.”

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited the War Memorial on the occasion to pay tribute.

Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted in Hindi: “On this day in 1971, the Indian Army, by protecting human values with its amazing valor and bravery, inscribed another heroic saga in the pages of history. I salute the courage and supreme sacrifice of the brave soldiers of the army and wish the countrymen on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.”

Paying tribute to the soldiers of the 1971 war, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also remembered the then-Prime Minister and Congress leader Indira Gandhi on the occasion, as he tweeted that “under the dynamic and determined leadership of our leader Smt. Indira Gandhi, the geography of the world changed today in 1971, as Indian Armed Forces scripted history by decisively defeating Pakistan and liberating Bangladesh.”

The Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 began on December 3 and lasted less than two weeks, culminating in Pakistan's military surrender to India and then-East Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh.

As a result of India's victory, the 75 million people of today's Bangladesh gained their independence.

Bangladesh also observes December 16 as Bijoy Dibosh (Victory Day) to commemorate the defeat of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 and the Independence of Bangladesh.