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Which countries supported Pakistan during the 1971 conflict?
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During the 1971 conflict, the United States and China signaled their support for Pakistan.12
Driven by Cold War considerations, the United States, under President Richard Nixon, adopted a pro-Pakistan stance. Although the U.S. publicly suspended aid, it secretly provided military assistance to the government of Yahya Khan. Additionally, the U.S. dispatched the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise to the Bay of Bengal as a show of force intended to deter India and support Pakistan.32
China also provided vocal support for Pakistan, publicly criticizing India’s military intervention as an act of aggression that disrupted peace on the South Asian subcontinent.2