In a strong rejection of a proposed “humanitarian corridor” along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman on Wednesday sent a stern message to the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus, deepening the rift within Dhaka’s power corridors.
New Delhi is closely monitoring the rapidly escalating civil-military divide in Dhaka over the controversial proposal of a “humanitarian corridor” along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border— an issue that could have significant strategic implications for India’s eastern frontier.
The proposed corridor was intended to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid—primarily food and medical supplies—to Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State. However, General Zaman dismissed the idea outright, using emphatic language during a high-level officer meeting in Dhaka, declaring, “There will be no bloody corridor business.” His comment was a direct rebuke to Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Khalilur Rahman, also a U.S. citizen, who had previously floated the idea, reportedly backed by the US, on multiple occasions since taking office on April 9.
India, which shares long borders with both Bangladesh and Myanmar, views the military instability in Myanmar and the potential for regional overspill—especially in the form of refugee flows, insurgent activity or foreign influence in humanitarian operations—as a direct challenge to its own internal security and border management. A “corridor” cutting through Bangladesh for aid delivery could also open the door to external actors establishing a logistical presence uncomfortably close to India’s eastern frontier.
Rahman attempted to downplay the issue, telling the media in Dhaka that no formal agreement on a corridor had been made and that “nothing will be discussed” without full consultation. However, his repeated backtracking— at one point linking the aid corridor to Rohingya repatriation—has done little to allay fears among regional stakeholders, including New Delhi.
The Bangladesh Army, however, has made its position unambiguous. General Zaman accused the interim government of bypassing the military on major national security decisions and warned of sovereignty risks if such corridors were approved under foreign pressure. Reinforcing this stance, Zaman declared that only an elected government, not an unelected interim authority, should make decisions impacting the nation’s strategic interests. He insisted that general elections must be held by December to restore full civilian legitimacy.
During the closed-door address to nearly 1,000 officers, the Army chief also vowed to clamp down on rising lawlessness that has plagued Bangladesh since the interim government assumed power in August 2024. The unrest, reportedly fueled by political agitation and criminal groups, has undermined public order and added to the military’s frustration.
One officer reportedly echoed the Army chief’s sentiment, saying the “legacy of the 1971 Liberation War and national pride are non-negotiable” and must not be compromised for short-term diplomatic arrangements.
The uniform support General Zaman received from the General Officers Commanding (GOCs) signals a consolidated military posture against any international involvement that could jeopardize Bangladesh’s sovereignty— an issue with direct bearing on Indian national security.
From New Delhi’s perspective, the developments in Dhaka signal two red flags: first, the potential for Myanmar’s internal conflict to spill into neighboring countries under the cover of humanitarian aid; and second, a possible increase in foreign (particularly Western) pressure on Dhaka that could create instability across a region India considers geopolitically critical.
As the situation evolves, India is expected to intensify its diplomatic engagement with Dhaka while keeping a close watch on both the Myanmar border and internal power dynamics within Bangladesh.
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