https://sputniknews.in/20250130/india-keeps-a-close-eye-on-bangladesh-pakistan-ties-heating-up-8713832.html
India Keeps a Close Eye on Bangladesh-Pakistan Ties Heating Up
India Keeps a Close Eye on Bangladesh-Pakistan Ties Heating Up
Sputnik India
An alleged visit by top members of Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to Bangladesh reportedly suggests the establishment of an... 30.01.2025, Sputnik India
2025-01-30T14:17+0530
2025-01-30T14:17+0530
2025-01-30T20:33+0530
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An ex-Indian spy has warned of tough times for India amid growing cooperation between Pakistan's ISI and Bangladesh's military, emphasising that their increasing closeness would have a deep bearing on South Asia's largest country's borders and internal security.Notably, the visit by a delegation of the ISI, reportedly led by its Director General Lieutenant General Asim Malik along with Major General Shahid Afsar, Brigadier General Alam Amir Awan, Brigadier General Muhammad Asim, and Lieutenant Colonel Usman Latif Khalid, has been officially denied by the Yunus regime.Pakistan delegation arrived in Bangladesh from Dubai on January 21 via Emirates Airlines, Bangladeshi counter-intelligence expert Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhary told Sputnik India, citing his own sources. Reportedly, the ISI delegation met with the head of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) to discuss the establishment of an intelligence-sharing network.The ISI's association with the Bangladesh military goes back decades, so the setting up of an intelligence network between the two Islamic nations should not come as a surprise, Colonel RSN Singh, an ex-Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer, who also worked in the Indian Army, told Sputnik India.He further stated that the anti-Hindu elements that have been activated in Bangladesh after the fall of Hasina's government are extremely dangerous for India. Bangladesh's liberation was due to the persecution of Hindus and a similar kind of situation is prevalent in the neighbouring nation at present, he emphasised."In fact, Hindus are being butchered in Bangladesh, they are being forced to convert, their women are being raped, their business establishments are being attacked and all kinds of atrocities are being committed against them," the retired Indian spy asserted.If such a situation persisted for a prolonged period, there's no doubt that Hindus would flee Bangladesh, which would have profound impact on India's borders, leading to a huge influx of refugees into India, in scenes reminiscent of 1971, Singh explained.In addition to the threat posed by Islamists, India faces a danger from homegrown organisations like the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in its Northeast region, whose bases in Bangladesh were earlier demolished by the Hasina government, he stressed.Nonetheless, he is confident that India’s intelligence agencies and armed forces can handle the situation in Bangladesh, emphasising that India’s spy agencies are the best in the world and capable of not only neutralising but dismantling anti-India structures there.Choudhary, however, highlighted that this development, if accurate, raises significant concerns.In Dhaka, ISI officials also met with ULFA leader Paresh Baruah and key figures of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), according to Choudhary. Furthermore, this collaboration could disturb the delicate balance of power in South Asia, eroding trust among neighboring nations and increasing geopolitical tensions.He is confident that India needs to respond strategically by strengthening its counterintelligence measures and enhancing its alliances with regional partners like Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, also to leverage diplomatic channels and global partnerships to isolate ISI's activities and counteract their influence, Choudhary elaborated.Since the August 5 coup, Islamist forces in Bangladesh have been feeling emboldened, Choudhary alleged, which has created an environment conducive to the resurgence of militant and separatist groups.This resurgence poses challenges not only to India but also to Bangladesh itself, he warned, as empowering Islamist forces could destabilise the country politically and economically, creating long-term internal strife. Moreover, the global community must be wary of the international ramifications, as Bangladesh risks becoming a hub for extremist activities, Choudhary expressed.The use of modern technology and social media by these groups adds to the complexity, enabling them to recruit and radicalise individuals faster than ever before; while amplifying the threat and making it harder to contain their influence, he assessed.He suggested that to counteract these developments, India and the international community should strengthen their counterterrorism strategies to curb the rise of extremism and employ technological countermeasures to dismantle the propaganda and recruitment networks.
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India Keeps a Close Eye on Bangladesh-Pakistan Ties Heating Up
14:17 30.01.2025 (Updated: 20:33 30.01.2025) An alleged visit by top members of Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to Bangladesh reportedly suggests the establishment of an intelligence network between the two countries. Sputnik India analyses the impact of these developments on India.
An ex-Indian spy has warned of tough times for India amid growing cooperation between Pakistan's ISI and Bangladesh's military, emphasising that their increasing closeness would have a deep bearing on South Asia's largest country's borders and internal security.
Notably, the visit by a delegation of the ISI, reportedly led by its Director General Lieutenant General Asim Malik along with Major General Shahid Afsar, Brigadier General Alam Amir Awan, Brigadier General Muhammad Asim, and Lieutenant Colonel Usman Latif Khalid, has been officially denied by the Yunus regime.
Pakistan delegation arrived in Bangladesh from Dubai on January 21 via Emirates Airlines, Bangladeshi counter-intelligence expert Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhary told Sputnik India, citing his own sources. Reportedly, the ISI delegation met with the head of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) to discuss the establishment of an intelligence-sharing network.
The ISI's association with the Bangladesh military goes back decades, so the setting up of an intelligence network between the two Islamic nations should not
come as a surprise,
Colonel RSN Singh, an ex-
Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer, who also worked in the Indian Army, told
Sputnik India.
"The persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh is a handiwork of the ISI as without its support the Islamists would never have conspired against them there," Singh alleged. "However, ISI's network crumbled under the Sheikh Hasina administration because she was against the Islamisation of Bangladesh and always credited India for its role in the country's liberation."
He further stated that the anti-Hindu elements that have been activated in Bangladesh after the fall of Hasina's government are extremely dangerous for India. Bangladesh's liberation was due to the persecution of Hindus and a similar kind of situation is prevalent in the neighbouring nation at present, he emphasised.
"In fact, Hindus are being butchered in Bangladesh, they are being forced to convert, their women are being raped, their business establishments are being attacked and
all kinds of atrocities are being committed against them," the retired Indian spy asserted.
If such a situation persisted for a prolonged period, there's no doubt that Hindus would flee Bangladesh, which would have profound impact on India's borders, leading to a huge influx of refugees into India, in scenes reminiscent of 1971, Singh explained.
In addition to the threat posed by Islamists, India faces a danger from homegrown organisations like the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in its Northeast region, whose bases in Bangladesh were earlier demolished by the Hasina government, he stressed.
"But with the influence of Islamists rising in the neighbouring country, such organisations would definitely find a breeding ground, that would ultimately hurt India's internal security, particularly states like Assam could witness the rise of radical elements," the ex-intel officer underscored.
Nonetheless, he is confident that India’s intelligence agencies and armed forces can handle the situation in Bangladesh, emphasising that India’s spy agencies are the best in the world and capable of not only neutralising but dismantling anti-India structures there.
Choudhary, however, highlighted that this development, if accurate, raises significant concerns.
In Dhaka, ISI officials also met with ULFA leader Paresh Baruah and key figures of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), according to Choudhary.
"This indicates a deliberate strategy to weaponise these groups for spreading terror within India and Myanmar, creating a dual-front threat that could destabilise the region," Choudhary highlighted.
Furthermore, this collaboration could disturb the delicate balance of power in South Asia, eroding trust among neighboring nations and increasing geopolitical tensions.
He is confident that India needs to respond strategically by strengthening its counterintelligence measures and enhancing its alliances with regional partners like Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, also to leverage diplomatic channels and global partnerships to isolate ISI's activities and counteract their influence, Choudhary elaborated.
Since the August 5 coup, Islamist forces in Bangladesh have been feeling emboldened, Choudhary alleged, which has created an environment
conducive to the resurgence of militant and separatist groups.
"Pakistan's ISI and elements within the country's military are taking advantage of this situation by reestablishing insurgency camps in certain areas of Bangladesh to train Indian separatist outfits. At least 67 trained operatives from ISI, Al-Quds [Brugades], and Hamas are currently operating in Bangladesh under various disguises. Their objective is to train cadres of extremist groups such as Hizb ut-Tahrir* and Hefazat-e-Islam, as well as radicalise madrasa students and teachers. These efforts threaten to reignite insurgencies in India's Northeast, potentially reversing years of progress in securing the region," the Bangladeshi observer opined.
This resurgence poses challenges not only to India but also to Bangladesh itself, he warned, as empowering Islamist forces could destabilise the country politically and economically, creating long-term internal strife. Moreover, the global community must be wary of the international ramifications, as Bangladesh risks becoming a hub for extremist activities, Choudhary expressed.
The use of modern technology and social media by these groups adds to the complexity, enabling them to recruit and radicalise individuals faster than ever before; while amplifying the threat and making it harder to
contain their influence, he assessed.
He suggested that to counteract these developments, India and the international community should strengthen their counterterrorism strategies to curb the rise of extremism and employ technological countermeasures to dismantle the propaganda and recruitment networks.
"Bangladesh is at a critical juncture, and its shift toward becoming a breeding ground for terrorism and separatism poses a significant threat to regional stability. Immediate and coordinated action is essential to prevent the situation from spiraling further out of control," Choudhary concluded.
