The US administration's bias towards Pakistan during Bangladesh's liberation war is well-known. From its inception, Pakistan had been in a friendly relationship with the United States. The role of the United States in the Bangladesh liberation war was very disappointing and controversial. Despite the US government's pro-Pakistan policy, a significant number of members of Congress and the Senate, several government officials, and intellectuals expressed their strong support for the liberation war. The US media and public opinion were also sympathetic to Bangladesh. However, the administration of then-US President Richard Milhouse Nixon, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger supported Pakistan morally, politically, economically, and militarily for nine whole months. There were four stages of Amerthe USicy during the Bangladesh liberation war.

The first phase of US policy
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### (March 1971 to July 1971)

In this stage, the nature of US policy was tactical neutrality. The US government perceived the Bangladesh issue as an internal affair of Pakistan. However, US Ambassador to India, Kenneth Keating, opposed this stance and stated on April 15th that the events in East Pakistan couldn't be considered internal. Under the pressure of press criticism and strong public opinion, Washington decided to halt military supplies and financial aid to Pakistan on May 7th. Besides, on June 12, 1971, the Nixon administration called for a political solution to the problem in East Pakistan. However, even when arms aid was halted, accusations were made that a large number of American arms were reaching Pakistan. The US Department of State responded that the deals for these arms supplies were signed before March 25th. At the end of June, the US government signed two contracts with Pakistan worth $4.3 million, believed to be used for the genocide of Bengalis. Despite sending arms to Pakistan, the US continued to provide aid to India for the care and rehabilitation of refugees fleeing from East Pakistan. By May, the US had provided $3 million in aid for the refugees sheltered in India. The purpose was to reduce the intensity of criticism from the American public against the White House and to create pressure on President Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan to seek a political solution while maintaining aid.

The second phase of US policy
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### (July to August 1971)

The second phase of US policy in the Bangladesh Liberation War begins in July. Two characteristics of American policy can be observed at this stage:

To counteract the Soviet Union, the United States promises recognition to China and membership in the United Nations. As a result of Dr. Henry Kissinger's sudden visit to Beijing, the United States' tilt policy towards Pakistan becomes active.

The United States had assumed that by July, a Soviet-India plan for military intervention against Pakistan would be finalized. Therefore, the United States became proactive in countering this plan. In the second phase, the primary goal of the United States was to find a political solution under a unified Pakistan and avoid war. However, none of these were possible. Therefore, in the second phase, American policy was completely unsuccessful.

The third phase of US policy
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### (September to 3 December 1971)

In this phase, the Nixon administration adopts a more pro-Pakistan policy. It tries to negotiate a deal with a faction of the Bengali leadership stationed in Kolkata (led by Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad), by freeing Sheikh Mujib and encouraging him to reach an agreement with Pakistan. In addition, it puts pressure on the Pakistani government to resolve the Bangladesh issue. However, both the temporary Mujibnagar government in exile and India reject the US initiative. Even during her visit to Washington in November 5-8, 1971, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India failed to deviate the US from its pro-Pakistan policy. As a result, it becomes clear that a war is inevitable.

The fourth phase of US policy
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### (December, 1971)

From the start of the Third Indo-Pak War on December 3, the United States follows an intensely anti-India and pro-Pakistan policy. President Richard Milhous Nixon directs his Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger, to provide all possible moral and diplomatic support to Pakistan. This policy of President Richard Milhous Nixon is known as the Tilt Policy. On December 6, the United States announces the temporary suspension of $86.6 million in financial aid to India. On the other hand, pressure continues to be exerted through the United Nations. On December 4, at the request of the United States, the Pak-India war was brought up in the Security Council. The Soviet Union first vetoed it on December 4, then again on December 5. Notably, on December 5, 1971, the U.S. permanent representative to the UN, George Bush, referred to India as the initial aggressor. On December 7, in a press conference at the White House, Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger also accused India of being aggressive and treacherous.

To put pressure on Delhi and Moscow, the United States orders a task force of eight ships, led by the nuclear-powered ship Enterprise, to be sent to the Bay of Bengal. This is known as Task Force 74. At the same time, American diplomacy at the United Nations remains active in the aim of a ceasefire. Notably, in pursuit of a ceasefire, the first and second American ceasefire proposals were presented to the UN Security Council on December 4 and 12, respectively. However, due to the Soviet Union's veto, both proposals are defeated.

On January 8, 1972, the American Task Force 74 left the Indian Ocean. This revealed the true nature of the US policy during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Despite the American public supporting the war of liberation in Bangladesh, American policy was against it. The pro-Pakistan policy of the U.S. administration was entirely determined by the Nixon-Kissinger duo. They considered Pakistan an old friend of the United States and a member of its military pact. Moreover, Pakistan was a bridge in establishing relations between the U.S. and China.

Henry Kissinger made policy decisions about South Asia according to his own beliefs and he believed that Bangladesh's independence could be achieved through dialogue. However, the war of liberation in Bangladesh and the assistance of India in that war greatly frustrated him.

The US policy against Bangladesh was strictly a White House affair. The Nixon-Kissinger duo claimed their involvement in the Bangladesh crisis. According to their claims, these were their actions:

1. They helped refugees and the distressed, provided assistance to the Bengalis in India and East Pakistan.

2. The arrangements for international observation of relief work and food distribution in Bangladesh were possible due to their influence.

3. They established a civil administration in Bangladesh and helped with the repatriation of refugees.

4. Their participation was instrumental in preserving the life of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

5. They arranged for political reconciliation with Pakistan.

6. They deterred Indira Gandhi from initiating the destruction of West Pakistan and the United States intimidated her into retreating.

7. The Seventh Fleet and the Enterprise were deployed to the Bay of Bengal with the purpose of rescuing the US citizens.