Because the Indians chose to ally themselves with the Soviets. For all of the Cold War, Pakistan was a pretty dependable ally. Zia Islamized the country, but it's hard to say whether he was in the lead, or merely saw the writing on the wall. Islamization has been the trend in Muslim countries for decades, driven in large part by popular sentiment, against the wishes of relatively more cosmopolitan* political elites, who go along for fear of violent revolt and/or assassination**. Muslim countries that practically never saw the hijab (the kind of head scarf a Catholic nun might wear) forty years ago are now infested with full burkhas (the tent-like garment that covers all but the eyes). What's happened to Pakistan is pretty sad, much like what happened to Iran.
India is a lot like France - an ally that will always be there for you when they need you. During the 1970's, India came close to invading the British base at Diego Garcia - which we use under longstanding agreements with the Brits - so as to annex it.
* The fact that Yahya Khan ruled Pakistan during Yeager's stint tells us something about how secular Pakistan was during the period. Khan was a Shiite and a known hard drinker (alcohol is religiously forbidden to Muslims of all denominations, but was legal for Muslims in Pakistan at the time) ruling a majority Sunni nation. FYI, Shiites are viewed by Sunnis more or less the way evangelical Christians view Mormons - as slightly deranged cultists.
** The Egyptian leader before Mubarak was assassinated by Islamists, and just about every Muslim leader, including Saddam and Gaddafi, has been the subject of death threats and/or assassination attempts from that quarter.
The pro-Russian tilt arose after India was denied American warplanes at the time (and America’s pro-Pakistan tilt was already present), but I’ve never heard of any proposed Indian attack on Diego Garcia. Any links on the subject?
When did India need/ask the US help for any fight?
India sent 2 million solider to fight WW1 and WW2 and Indian soldiers fought on all fronts. How many soldiers did France sent to fight?
” ...Yeager's stint tells us something about how secular Pakistan was during the period. Khan was a Shiite and a known hard drinker”
Yeah Pakistan was secular (and of course India was not) And why was Pak secular? Because Yahya Khan the dictator of Pakistan, the man in power allowed himself to drink alcohol. That shows how secular Pakistan was! Never mind the genocide of 3 million of their own people! That's just a minor niggle. /sarc
“During the 1970’s, India came close to invading the British base at Diego Garcia ...... so as to annex it.”
This one had gotta take the cake! I have never ever heard more BS on FR till date.