New Delhi: In a first since the political upheaval that forced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee, Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi held talks Wednesday with his Bangladeshi counterpart General Waker-Uz-Zaman.
While Army officers remained tight-lipped on what transpired during the virtual video meet, the Army in an official post on ‘X’ said the two “exchanged views on issues of mutual interest including bilateral defence cooperation”.
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) November 6, 2024
There was no statement from the Bangladesh Army about the interaction.
The move comes in the backdrop of a growing concern that India’s interest in Bangladesh is now overshadowed by that of China and Pakistan under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
India has been raising the issue of attacks on minorities in the neighbouring country following the ouster of the Hasina government. There also has been a series of attacks and thefts that occurred during Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh.
Traditionally, the two militaries share a deep and close relationship since the creation of Bangladesh following the 1971 Liberation War. Under the erstwhile Hasina rule, both militaries had stepped up training, joint exercises as well as supply of military hardware to Bangladesh.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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