India and Bangladesh are navigating a period of significant diplomatic friction, potentially the worst since 1971. An intelligence assessment indicates Pakistan’s ISI is orchestrating a campaign to provoke India into military action against Bangladesh. This move is designed to attract global attention and potentially shift blame. ISI-backed operatives are allegedly disseminating false narratives, accusing India of supporting the ousted Awami League and its leader, Sheikh Hasina. The rising anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, cultivated over the past year, is compounded by the systematic mistreatment of minority groups, especially Hindus.
Disturbing incidents, including the brutal lynching of a Hindu man, are being deliberately circulated online by ISI networks to inflame public opinion in India. The aim is to create immense pressure on the Indian government to respond militarily, thereby positioning India as the aggressor in international forums.
Sources indicate that India is fully cognizant of Pakistan’s intentions. New Delhi’s foreign policy continues to prioritize its sovereignty and territorial integrity, framing its actions within a defensive context. The electoral ban on the Awami League has led India to explore diplomatic channels with other political entities, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), seeking to ensure a friendly and stable government in Dhaka. Such an outcome is viewed as detrimental to Pakistan’s regional ambitions.
Addressing the strategic challenges, India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, has stressed the importance of maintaining a strong deterrent against nuclear-capable adversaries. He highlighted the need for India to be prepared for short, decisive conflicts as well as prolonged land-based engagements due to existing territorial disputes. General Chauhan advocated for leveraging new warfare domains to create strategic advantages while preventing their exploitation by adversaries. He also noted the accelerated tempo and compressed decision-making in modern warfare, citing the efficiency and decisiveness of ‘Operation Sindoor’ as a model.
