Pakistan and Bangladesh are resetting their ties after the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Haseena, who was ousted after the deadly civil unrest.
The ongoing bromance between Islamabad and Dhaka has raised certain eyebrows from the Indian defence and security establishment, who see the closeness between the two countries with serious concern. Bangladesh is hosting the Foreign Minister of Pakistan and the trade envoy this week in a bid to reset ties after the 1971 war.
“Brutality was unmatched,” said one of the survivors of the 1971 liberation war that saw East Pakistan gaining independence and forming a separate nation called Bangladesh.
Reports suggest that hundreds of thousands were killed in the liberation war. While Bangladesh is believe the actual number was in millions.
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There are widespread apprehensions found in the Indian defence circles, related to the cornering of the country, as China, Pakistan and Bangladesh are forging closer ties. New Delhi’s concerns are particularly related to the Siliguri corridor, known as India’s chicken neck. The growing Chinese and Pakistani influence in Bangladesh has also put an additional burden on the Indian defence forces, which are now stretched across the entire border, LoC and LAC.
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Pakistan's top spy officials have made frequent visits to Bangladesh in a bid to contain India’s growing influence in the region. Pakistan's Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan arrived in Dhaka on Thursday, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected on Saturday.
While Pakistan and Bangladesh will be mending ties, experts suggest New Delhi will be looking at the developments with some keen interest. "Bangladesh had been one of India's closest partners in its neighbourhood, and now it is flirting with India's chief adversary," said Michael Kugelman, a US-based analyst.
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