DP Dhar (Durga Prasad Dhar) (1918–1975) was a prominent Indian politician and diplomat. He played an important role in India’s participation in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and was a close advisor and confidant of Indira Gandhi.
Dhar worked in major positions including the Soviet Union Ambassador and Minister in the governments of Jammu and Kashmir and India.
DP Dhar was a prestigious Indian diplomat and the politician served as the chairman of India’s policy planning committee. He presided over India’s Policy Planning Committee and played an important role in strengthening the India-Soviet relations. Dhar represents India in 1949 at the United Nations Security Council and in 1952 in the United Nations General Assembly. He served as India’s ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1969 to 1971 and then from 1975 till his death.
DP Dhar played an important role in the friendship and cooperation of the 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty. He also played an important role in India’s intervention in the East Pakistan Civil War, which led to the formation of Bangladesh. His legacy has been honored at the Embassy of India in Moscow, where a hall is named.
Retired journalist and public affairs commentator, Shubh Bhattacharya paid tribute to DP Dhar and wrote in a post on X, “Tribute to DP Dhar, who formulated a strategy to defeat Pakistan as the Chairman of India’s Policy Planning Committee and form Bangladesh in the 1971 war, his 50th virtue (anniversary of his anniversary”.
