Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi held a virtual meeting on Wednesday with his Bangladeshi counterpart, General Waker-Uz-Zaman. This meeting marks the first high-level military contact between the two nations following the political upheaval on August 5, which forced Sheikh Hasina to flee Bangladesh.
According to an official statement from the Indian Army, General Dwivedi “interacted with General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army, via video teleconference.” During the exchange, the two leaders “discussed matters of mutual interest, including bilateral defence cooperation,” the Army said in an official post on ‘X’.
#DefenceCooperation #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS interacted with General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Army Staff, #BangladeshArmy, on Video tele call and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest including bilateral #DefenceCooperation.#IndiaBangladeshFriendship#IndianArmy… pic.twitter.com/DdY5Ole98e
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) November 6, 2024
This engagement carries significant weight amid speculation that Pakistan and China may seek to expand their influence in Bangladesh in light of the current instability. India and Bangladesh, under Hasina’s government, had enjoyed close relations and strengthened collaboration in defence and internal security, with New Delhi committed to maintaining these ties amid the shifting political landscape in Dhaka.
The armed forces of India and Bangladesh have historically maintained a strong relationship, largely due to the support that the Indian Army provided during Bangladesh’s liberation. However, under the Hasina government, defence ties between the two countries have become even closer. In recent years, strategic cooperation has significantly expanded, characterized by regular high-level visits, joint training exercises, and the supply of Indian military hardware to Bangladesh. These developments have enhanced mutual defence capabilities and trust between the two nations.
Zaman himself is said to have good relations with the military leadership in India. Continuing military-to-military contact with the Bangladesh Army in addition to keeping diplomatic channels open is also important given that the country is going through a period of political transition where the military is playing an important role in not only ensuring the nation’s security but also maintaining law and order for a smooth handover of power.
The meeting also takes place against a backdrop of reported attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu community. Bangladesh’s interim government has assured India that it is taking comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of minority communities. In this context, the Bangladesh Army is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining order and safeguarding minority rights.
India and Bangladesh share a porous 4,000-km border that is vulnerable to the smuggling of narcotics, cattle, arms, and illegal immigration. In the event of unrest in Bangladesh, India is concerned that these activities could escalate along the border. The biannual meeting between the border security forces of both nations, which was scheduled for this month, has already been postponed. These meetings have been crucial for addressing shared concerns and strengthening cooperation in combating cross-border crime.
Team BharatShakti
