Despite India sending an invitation, Bangladesh has not yet said anything clearly regarding the participation of Prime Minister Tariq Rahman in the BRICS conference to be held in September.
The ever-deepening military and intelligence nexus between Bangladesh and Pakistan has created a stir in South Asian diplomacy. A six-member delegation of Bangladesh’s military intelligence agency DGFI (Directorate General of Forces Intelligence) visited Pakistan on August 15.
The visit, led by Colonel Magfooz-ul-Bari, is being seen as a new chapter in security relations between Dhaka and Islamabad. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, military and intelligence-level contacts between the two countries have increased rapidly.
Diplomatic turmoil and the importance of time
This visit has taken place at a time when there are signs of major changes in the foreign policy of Bangladesh.
Despite India sending an invitation, Bangladesh has not yet taken any clear stand regarding the participation of Prime Minister Tariq Rahman in the BRICS conference to be held in September.
Earlier in April 2026, DGFI Director General Major General Qaiser Rashid Chaudhary had also visited Islamabad, where he met top officials of the Pakistani Army and intelligence agency ISI.
There have also been talks between the air force chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh regarding the possible sale of Pakistan-made ‘JF-17 Thunder’ fighter planes.
Is there a strategy to put pressure on India?
According to former Indian Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, Bangladesh’s inclination towards Pakistan could be an attempt to gain a ‘strategic lever’ (bargaining power) against India.
Since the time of the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus, Pakistan and ISI got an opportunity to increase their presence in Bangladesh, which the current government is also using as a strategic advantage.
Experts believe that due to the long border between India and Bangladesh and deep economic interests, Dhaka cannot completely go into the anti-India camp, but by increasing proximity with Pakistan and China, it can definitely put pressure on New Delhi to accept its conditions.
New challenges for India
After the overthrow of Hasina government, Pakistan has established itself as a strong partner in the military and security landscape of Bangladesh. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that it wants “positive and constructive” relations with Bangladesh based on mutual interests and reciprocity.
However, this increasing presence of Pakistan and ISI in India’s eastern neighborhood is posing a new strategic challenge for New Delhi.
