Bangladesh has bestowed its highest honor on former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her role in Bangladesh's 1971 war for independence from Pakistan.

Mrs. Gandhi served as India's prime minister between 1966 and 1977. She was assassinated by her bodyguards in 1984, following her election to another term as prime minister in 1980.

On Monday, the head of India's ruling Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, received the “Bangladesh Freedom Honor” on behalf of her mother-in-law during a ceremony in Dhaka.

India helped Bangladesh, which was known as Eastern Pakistan, win independence by providing financial aid and military support to Bangladeshi rebels. India also hosted millions of Bangladeshi refugees.

Bangladesh says Pakistani troops killed 3 million civilians during the war.