Indian Army Chief Raises Concerns Over Pakistani Military Activities Near Strategic Border and ISI presence in Bangladesh
General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Indian Army, has expressed significant concerns regarding the presence of Pakistan Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials in Bangladesh's Rangpur Division, a region proximate to India's strategically vital 'Chicken's Neck' corridor. This narrow stretch of land, also known as the Siliguri Corridor, serves as a crucial link between India's northeastern states and the rest of the country.
In a recent interview, General Dwivedi emphasized the imperative to prevent anti-India elements from exploiting Bangladeshi territory to facilitate terrorist activities against India. He stated, "We must ensure that those anti-India elements are not able to use that soil to send terrorists to India."
The General's remarks follow reports of Pakistani military and intelligence delegations visiting sensitive areas in Bangladesh near the Indian border. These visits have raised alarms within Indian defense circles about potential security threats emanating from collaborative efforts between Pakistan and elements within Bangladesh.
Despite these concerns, General Dwivedi highlighted the robust military relationship between India and Bangladesh, noting that both nations maintain strong defense ties and regularly exchange strategic insights. He remarked, "Our military relationship with Bangladesh is very strong, and we are able to exchange notes whenever we want."
Addressing the broader context of Indo-Pak relations, General Dwivedi humorously referenced a scene from the classic film "Guide," where a character vows not to eat until it rains, to illustrate Pakistan's unwavering stance on Kashmir. He suggested that Pakistan remains entrenched in its position, using anti-India rhetoric as a unifying agenda. "As far as they are concerned, the idea of India is their major criticality. It's not limited to Kashmir only," he added.
The General's comments underscore the complexities of regional geopolitics, where historical tensions and emerging alliances continue to shape the security dynamics of South Asia.