"Dhaka is now a free capital of a free country," Indira informed parliament on December 16 immediately after the surrender of Pakistani occupation forces in Dhaka. "This House and the entire nation rejoice in this historic event. We hail the people of Bangladesh in their hour of triumph. We hail the brave young men and boys of Mukti Bahini for their valour and dedication."
"It's a victory, but a victory not only of arms but of ideals. The Mukti Bahini could not have fought so daringly but for its passionate urge for freedom and the establishment of a special identity of Bangladesh. Our own forces could not have been so fearless and relentless had they not been convinced of their cause,” Indira told the House on December 17 about Bangladesh.
Indira visited an independent Bangladesh on Bangabandhu's invitation on March 17, 1972 and announced withdrawal of Indian troops from here. The withdrawal of the troops immediately after the war was unprecedented in the world history.
