ISI Chief on Bangladesh tour
Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI chief Lieutenant General Asif Malik is on a visit to Bangladesh. Many meanings are being inferred from the visit of ISI Chief. Recently, Bangladesh’s high ranking military officer General SM Kamrul Hasan visited Pakistan on January 14. Qamarul had met Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir. There are speculations that there may be some defense agreement between the two countries. In such a situation, this can prove to be a big blow for India.
Enmity with India will be very fatal for Bangladesh. Whenever he/she has any problem, India proves to be the first helper. The borders of China and Pakistan are far away from there. Bangladesh’s economy is largely dependent on India. Its biggest industry is textile whose raw material comes from India. India supplies it energy and gas oil, if there is a cut in these then Bangladesh will be on its knees.
PK Sehgal, Defense Expert
Visa process easy for Pakistanis
The interim government of Bangladesh took steps to simplify the visa process for people from Pakistan to further strengthen trade and economic ties. Along with this, both the countries have given priority to increasing trade and investment. The interim government led by Mohammad Yunus seems keen to improve relations with Pakistan. Relations between the two countries have not been satisfactory during the last decade.
What is the benefit to Pakistan?
Pakistan will definitely benefit from improved relations between the two countries. Pakistan will get land in Bangladesh to plot against India. Apart from this, Bangladesh, with a population of 18 crores, can be a big market for Pakistan, which it can take advantage of. The economic condition of Pakistan is not good. In such a situation, he/she is seeing an opportunity in Bangladesh. The mutual trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh in 2023-24 will be $718 million.
engaged in improving relations
In December last year, Bangladesh had asked Pakistan to resolve the 1971 issues ‘once and for all’. The reasoning behind this was to help Dhaka further its relations with Islamabad. Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh, urged Sharif to resolve the 1971 issues so that Dhaka could further improve its relations with Islamabad.
India, Bangladesh and Pakistan signed a tripartite agreement in New Delhi on April 9, 1974, after the liberation war of 1971. This included issues related to the return of Pakistani prisoners of war lodged in Indian camps since December 1971 and rehabilitation of people stranded in both the countries. Before the 1971 war, Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan. It was known as ‘East Pakistan’.
What is the tension for India?
The increasing closeness between Bangladesh and Pakistan is indicating a change in geopolitics. The inclination of the interim government of Bangladesh is clearly visible, which is a cause of concern for India also. Former PM and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina had to leave power and flee to India in August last year following the anger arising from the student movement. After this the interim government came into existence.
Since the interim government came to power, fundamentalist forces have gained strength in the country. Anti-India activities are gaining momentum in Bangladesh. Minority communities and their religious places are being targeted. The government is being accused of discriminating against minorities. India has a big investment in Bangladesh. In such a situation, the increasing influence of Pakistan may have an adverse effect.
There is news that Bangladesh is strengthening defense relations with Pakistan. Bangladesh is considering purchasing JF-17 from Pakistan. Earlier it was revealed that Bangladesh was purchasing fighter jets from China. Experts believe that Bangladesh’s increasing closeness to China and Pakistan can prove to be a big threat to India. In case of strengthening of relations with Pakistan, the activity of organizations like Hizbul, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen may increase in Bangladesh in the coming days. Its effect can be seen in the Northeast.
Fear of unrest in North-East
According to defense expert PK Sehgal, Pakistan’s proximity to Bangladesh is a challenge for India’s security. The reason for this is the efforts of China and Pakistan to create unrest in the North East again. The situation in Bangladesh is quite critical. Protests against Hindus are being seen on a large scale. There is a conspiracy of America’s deep state, China and Pakistan behind this.
Pakistan has already been involved in terrorist activities on the western border of the country. At the same time, there is a problem of illegal infiltration on the North-East border. With the coming of Yunus government after the coup, the bitterness in the relations between the two countries is increasing. Recently, the way India has taken its stand regarding Rohingya infiltration has increased the concern of Bangladesh.
Intelligence activities against India
The neighboring country was so displeased with India’s blockade that it even summoned India’s ambassador. Bangladesh is calling the steps being taken by India to stop illegal infiltration a violation of the 1975 border agreement. Experts believe that the meeting of Asif Malik and Faizur Rehman can promote intelligence activities against India. At the same time, it is also feared that Bangladesh is ignoring India for trade and looking for new options, for which it has increased its talks with Pakistan and China.
