The BRICS TimesIn 1971, India helped divide Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. For decades after its formation, relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh remained strained.
The Pakistani military’s brutality once led Bangladesh to seek India’s help for independence. Now, Bangladesh’s rulers are engaging closely with Pakistan’s military commander. Furthermore, they are reportedly plotting against India.
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, visited Dhaka. He held a special meeting with Bangladesh’s interim government head, Mohammad Yunus. During this meeting, General Mirza promised mutual support between the two nations. The exact nature of this support is unclear, but it is being interpreted in military terms. General Mirza is Pakistan’s second-highest military commander, after Army Chief Asim Munir.
First Four-Star General in Dhaka Since Musharraf
This meeting is viewed with suspicion by India. Yunus presented the Pakistani commander with a book: ‘Art of Triumph’. The book cover features a painting. It is currently difficult to confirm if the painting depicts India’s North-Eastern states within the map of Bangladesh. Reports also suggest the Pakistani commander may tour Bangladeshi military bases. These are located near India’s sensitive Chicken’s Neck (Siliguri Corridor).
Pakistan faced a major defeat in Operation Sindoor. Following this, Pakistan now seems ready to conspire on India’s eastern border. Significantly, this is the first time a four-star general has visited Dhaka since former Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf (2001-08).
Pakistan and Bangladesh Growing Closer
The 1971 war saw India help split Pakistan. East Pakistan became the new nation of Bangladesh. For many decades, Pakistan and Bangladesh did not have normal ties. However, since the coup against Sheikh Hasina last year, things changed. After Yunus formed the interim government, Pakistan and Bangladesh have grown significantly closer. The Yunus government is largely considered anti-India. Recently, Yunus and other Bangladeshi officials made offensive statements. These comments were about the Siliguri Corridor and the North-Eastern states.
Some World War II-era airfields exist near the Siliguri Corridor. They are in Bangladesh’s border areas. The US military previously used these airfields against China and Japan. However, these airfields have been closed for a long time now.
Pakistani Army Training Bangladeshi Forces
Recently, Bangladesh Army Chief Wakar Zaman also visited old World War II airfields. These are situated near the Chicken’s Neck. This has fueled speculation about Bangladesh handing these airfields over again. The likely recipients are either the US or Pakistan. The interim (Yunus) government in Bangladesh is actively seeking closer ties with Pakistan. For the past year, a Pakistani army unit has been training the Bangladeshi military. Additionally, US Special Forces commandos have been seen in Bangladesh.
India has not officially commented on the Pakistani military commander’s visit to Bangladesh. Yet, Assam’s Chief Minister recently issued a strong warning. His warning was about Bangladesh’s activities near India’s Chicken’s Neck. Sarma stated that Bangladesh’s two ‘Chicken’s Necks’ would be broken. Sarma was referring to the Chittagong (Chattogram) and Rangpur regions of Bangladesh.
