A series of unexplained military movements in Bangladesh has ignited security concerns in India, particularly due to their proximity to the crucial Siliguri Corridor. An Antonov AN-124 cargo jet from Azerbaijan landed in Dhaka without its cargo or flight details being publicly disclosed, notably bypassing Iranian airspace. The lack of transparency surrounding this high-capacity aircraft’s arrival has added to the growing intrigue.
Simultaneously, Bangladesh’s Navy Chief, Admiral Mustaq Ahmed, was in Karachi, Pakistan, for discussions focused on naval cooperation and maritime industry partnerships. This increased defense engagement with Pakistan, occurring alongside other military activities, is being closely monitored by Indian defense strategists.
Adding to the complex picture, a U.S. military C-130 aircraft transported a contingent of over a hundred American soldiers to Chattogram. This port city is situated less than 100 kilometers from India’s Siliguri Corridor, a narrow and strategically vital link to its northeastern states. The presence of foreign troops near this sensitive Indian territory without official clarification is a significant cause for concern.
Experts suggest Bangladesh is cultivating distinct military relationships: with Pakistan for shipbuilding and defense technology, with the U.S. for training and logistical capabilities, and potentially with Azerbaijan for military hardware. The convergence of these international military interactions on Bangladesh’s doorstep, so close to India’s strategic ‘chicken’s neck,’ introduces a new layer of regional instability and strategic unpredictability for India’s eastern defenses.