Bangladesh is strategically important to India, remarked the country’s Army Chief, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi. He emphasized, “We must stay together and avoid actions that negatively affect our relationship.”
He made these comments during the Indian Army’s annual press conference on Monday (January 13), as reported by The Times of India and The Hindu.
The Army Chief’s statement came a day after India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh was summoned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka. This was in response to heightened tensions caused by India’s attempt to construct barbed wire fencing at five locations along the Bangladesh border.
At the press conference, General Dwivedi answered various questions from journalists. During the session, a reporter from India Today asked for his views on the ongoing India-Bangladesh relations.
In response, General Dwivedi said, “Bangladesh is our neighbor. Except for a small portion, our borders are almost entirely shared with them. We must always remain together and understand each other. We must avoid any actions that could negatively impact our relationship.”
He added that communication with Bangladesh remains consistent. He recalled speaking with Bangladesh’s Army Chief during the student-led protests that led to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure from Bangladesh on August 5 last year. Most recently, he had a video conference with Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman on November 24 last year.
Regarding bilateral relations, he stated, “When an elected government takes office in Bangladesh, it would be appropriate to discuss these matters further.” He noted that the military relationship between the two nations remains “good and on the right path.” He described the relationship between the two armies as “well and perfect.”
When asked about the next joint military exercise between the two countries, he said, “The coordination between the two sides in military matters remains as it was. The joint military exercises, however, have been temporarily suspended due to the current situation. Once the situation improves, the exercises will resume.”
The diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh have persisted since Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister and took refuge in Delhi on August 5 amid a student-led uprising. Both sides are working diplomatically to overcome this challenging situation.