The defection of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has left the country’s defense cooperation with India in doubt, The Times of India reported on August 6, citing unnamed sources.
The publication says that the riots in Bangladesh occurred just at the time when “India was keen to restore its traditionally good military ties with Bangladesh.”. This interaction was happening “on a marked upward trajectory in an attempt to stop China’s strategic incursion into the country”.
“Negotiations were underway for Bangladesh to purchase Indian maritime patrol boats and also receive spare parts to service its Russian-made MiG-29 and Mi-17 helicopters.”the source said.
Just a month ago, the two countries signed a deal to build an 800-tonne ocean-going tugboat in India, the first major deal signed under New Delhi’s $500 million defence procurement line, he said.
In addition, joint exercises and interaction programmes between the two countries in the military field have been planned. There are also many Bangladeshi military personnel undergoing training in India.
Another source said that Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqer-uz-Zaman, who has now assumed control of the country, is “pro-Indian”.
“But if the interim government is made up of representatives of the anti-Indian Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and radicals (Islamist – approx. IA Krasnaya Vesna) factions, things could very well go wrong.”“, the source emphasized.
Recall that an Indian journalist pointed out the problems that Hasina’s sudden resignation and flight from the country created for India.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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