Why Growing Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh could be a Matter of Strategic Concern for India

PWOnlyIAS

February 26, 2025

Why Growing Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh could be a Matter of Strategic Concern for India

Recently, four top officials of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Directorate visited Dhaka for talks with their Bangladeshi counterparts.

Pakistan-Bangladesh Relations

  • Diplomatic Engagements: This recent visit  was followed by a Bangladeshi military delegation’s six-member visit to Pakistan. 
    • It marked the first ISI visit to Bangladesh since 2009, with the previous public visit dating back to 1989.
    • Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus twice (September & December) to discuss trade and cultural ties.
  • Upswing: Relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have seen an upswing, coinciding with fraying India-Bangladesh ties.
  • Naval Exercise: A Bangladeshi warship recently participated in a multinational naval exercise hosted by Pakistan off the Karachi coast.
  • Historical Background: Despite the violent liberation movement, Pakistan swiftly repaired its ties with Bangladesh post-1971.
    • Under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) governments (1991-1996 & 2001-2006), significant diplomatic exchanges occurred with Pakistan.
    • Some clandestine activities linked to Pakistan during this period had implications for India.

Implications for India

  • Insurgency in North East: Pakistan’s ISI has historically supported separatist movements in India using bases in former East Pakistan. 
    • Hans Kiessling, a historian, noted ISI’s backing of the Naga insurgency since the 1950s.
    • In the 1990s-2000s, ISI actively aided ULFA, Mizo, Manipuri, and Tripura separatists via its Dhaka embassy.
  • Infiltration: ISI also used the porous Indo-Bangladeshi border to infiltrate India, facilitating terror activities. 
    • Example: Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar, arrested in 1993, was released after the IC-814 hijack in 1999.
  • Security Measures: India initiated fencing along the Bangladesh border in the mid-2000s to curb infiltration. 
    • The riverine terrain, however, makes complete border security difficult.
  •  Rule of Hasina: The Sheikh Hasina-led government took significant steps to crack down on terrorism, benefiting regional security.
  • Military Exchanges: High-level military exchanges may lead to enhanced defence cooperation. Possible joint naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal.
  • Supplying arms: Risk of Pakistan supplying Abdali ballistic missiles to Bangladesh.
  • Countering India: Bangladesh’s strategy to reduce dependence on India aligns with Pakistan’s goal of countering Delhi.
  • Economic Concerns: India-Bangladesh trade is worth ~$15 billion,significantly higher than Bangladesh-Pakistan trade. 
    • Diversification of economic partnerships could reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on India. 
  • Impact on Regional Policy: Bangladesh’s central role in BIMSTEC, India’s alternative to SAARC. Deterioration in ties may weaken India’s regional economic initiatives.
  • Alliance with China: China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner and key infrastructure investor.  China is a major supplier of weapons to Bangladesh’s military. 
    • Pakistan-China alliance could leverage Bangladesh to counter India’s influence in South Asia.

Way Forward for India

  • Navigating Political Uncertainty: Awami League sidelined; BNP open to engagement with India. Presence of anti-India factions like Jamaat-e-Islami, which regained relevance after recent anti-Hasina uprisings.
  • Border Security: Prevent infiltration and cross-border threats.
  • Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: Intelligence-sharing and security collaboration.
  • Managing Bilateral Relations: Engage Without Hostility and maintain diplomatic dialogue with the Interim Government.
  • Address Anti-India Sentiments: Dhaka must protect the Hindu minority and counter misinformation.
  • Leverage Global Partners: Engage the U.S., UK, and EU, Bangladesh’s key trade partners. Use economic diplomacy to maintain regional influence.

Conclusion

India must adopt a strategic, multi-dimensional approach—balancing security, economic engagement, and diplomatic outreach—to prevent Pakistan from gaining undue influence in Bangladesh.

Mains Practice Question:

Q. Examine how the growing Pakistan-Bangladesh relationship impacts India’s strategic interests in South Asia. Analyze this development through strategic, economic, and geopolitical dimensions while suggesting a comprehensive framework for India’s response. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Archive Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  

by month

SRIJAN MAINS

Need help preparing for UPSC or State PSCs?

Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing

Aiming for UPSC?

Download Our App

      
Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">






    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.