Amid ongoing turbulence within the country, Bangladesh is reported to be in talks with Pakistan to formalise a military pact. The military deal could be part of the ongoing scheme of things wherein Bangladesh is constantly moving away from India and towards Pakistan since the interim government of Muhammad Yunus came to power in the South Asian country last year.
A report by news agency IANS said the Bangladesh-Pakistan military deal could be on the lines of the pact, which India’s western neighbour earlier signed with Saudi Arabia.
The deal, if signed, would see Pakistan and Bangladesh emerge as close military allies. The development has already heightened concerns within the Indian intelligence establishment, even as relations with Bangladesh continue to plummet since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister last year. The former Bangladesh PM is currently living in exile in India.
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If and when the deal is signed, Bangladesh and Pakistan would officially start sharing intelligence and even hold military drills, something that would raise eyebrows in India, with the two countries sharing borders with us on the eastern and western sides.
The report said while the Pakistan-Saudi military pact does not cover the nuclear aspect, the N-capabilities may eventually find their way into the Dhaka-Islamabad deal. This would heighten Indian concerns immensely.
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The report further said a joint mechanism to draft the Mutual Defence Agreement has already been set up, and the aim is to sign the pact before the February General Elections in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Army is also reported to be on the Yunus government’s side as far as the proposed military deal is concerned.
It has further been reported that military officials of the two countries have already visited each other’s countries as part of the discussions.