New Delhi, August 12: Major General (Retired) PK Sehgal, a defense expert, discussed the crucial aspects of India-Bangladesh relations, including infiltration from Bengal, visa issues, and healthcare facilities. He also addressed comments made by U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gore and the Ministry of External Affairs regarding Arunachal Pradesh.
Recently, India’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, met with Prime Minister Tariq Rahman. Sehgal emphasized, “There is no doubt that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh clearly understands that India is essential for Bangladesh. The relationship between the two countries deteriorated significantly during the Yunus government. He knows that maintaining contact with India is vital for the country’s economic stability, and India is the only route to connect with the world.”
He further stated that both nations share water resources, a 4,000-kilometer-long line of control, national security concerns, immigration issues, and trade. India can create significant challenges for Bangladesh. However, the most sensitive issue remains the extradition of Sheikh Hasina. “As far as I know, India will not extradite Hasina under any circumstances,” he added.
Sehgal pointed out that Bangladesh has maintained its ties with Pakistan. During Yunus’s tenure, the friendship between Pakistan and Bangladesh grew to the extent that Pakistan wanted to establish an airfield area around the Chicken Neck region. They aimed to provide drones and tankers to Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh has now realized that India is much closer, while Pakistan is thousands of miles away. In times of trouble, India will be the first to offer assistance.
Regarding Bangladesh-China relations, he noted that Bangladesh seeks strategic ties with China for infrastructure development. In addition to the meeting with the Indian ambassador, the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Parag Jain, also met with Rahman. “I believe several strategic and security-related issues were discussed,” he said.
Sehgal also commented on China’s tendency to rename strategically important locations in Arunachal Pradesh. He believes that this practice strengthens China’s claims during future border disputes. India has recently released a new map, naming 27 significant locations, including passes and lakes, with Indian names.
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