Desk:After last year’s coup in Bangladesh, Mohammad Yunus took charge, leading to a significant deterioration in the country’s stability. Bangladesh appears to be getting closer to Pakistan, and recent reports suggest the presence of the Pakistani Army and ISI near the strategic Chicken’s Neck corridor. This development has raised concerns within the Indian Army, prompting Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi to issue a stern response. He warned that Bangladesh must ensure that anti-India elements (Pakistan) do not use its soil to send terrorists into India.
In an exclusive interview with news agency ANI, General Upendra Dwivedi expressed concern over the reported presence of Pakistani military and ISI officials in Bangladeshi territories close to India’s Chicken’s Neck region. Recently, Pakistani forces and intelligence officials were seen inspecting sensitive areas near the Indian border. When asked whether he was concerned, the Army Chief replied affirmatively.
General Dwivedi stated, “I had previously referred to a particular country (Pakistan) as a hub of terrorism. Now, if those individuals move to another place, and that place happens to be our neighbor, then I have a reason to be concerned. Bangladesh should not allow its land to be used for sending terrorists into India.”
He further emphasized that diplomatic relations with Bangladesh can only be properly defined once a democratically elected government is in place. “Regarding the nature of their administration, my stance is clear—when there is an elected government, we can assess what kind of relationship we should have,” he told ANI.
Strong Military Ties with Bangladesh
Despite the concerns, General Dwivedi reaffirmed that military relations between India and Bangladesh remain strong. He stated, “Our military ties are very solid. We exchange notes whenever needed, and that’s exactly what we are doing now.”
“Pakistan’s Agenda is Not Just Kashmir”
When asked if Pakistan has accepted that Kashmir is an integral part of India, General Dwivedi responded with humor, referencing the Bollywood movie Guide. “There’s a madman in the movie who says, ‘I won’t eat until it rains.’ Pakistan’s military made a statement once, and now they are trapped in their own words. They have no way out, so they keep pushing forward with their Kashmir agenda.”
However, General Dwivedi stressed that Pakistan’s strategy is not limited to Kashmir alone but is part of a larger anti-India approach. He referenced Robert Kaplan’s book The Revenge of Geography, highlighting the historical and geopolitical complexities of the region. “Look at both banks of the Indus—can they truly unite? That is a critical question to consider,” he said.