A healthy bilateral relationship between any two countries is essentially underscored by ’mutual sensitivity’, a foundational value glaringly absent from the current India-Bangladesh ties. Sheikh Hasina had played an undeniable role in bringing Dhaka closer to Delhi. Since the fall of her government,Muhammad Yunus-lead Bangladesh is redrawing the political map,one where Dhaka is growing closer to Islamabad and further from Delhi (Halder, Majumder, and Khokon 2025, 157).Besides allowing Islamists a free rein in the country and acquiescing to their sectarian and anti-India agenda, the Yunus management has also effected a deep reset in Bangladesh’s foreign policy by forging vrey close links of especially military and strategic nature, with both Pakistan and Türkiye. The piece will try to address how and why India will be affected by a deepening military tie with Turkiye, what this means for the subcontinent, and how these changes could affect the region.
Very recently, the Nobel laureate and chief advisor to the bangladeshi government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, allocated a record 55,000 crore taka to build infrastructure for the production of defense equipment in Bangladesh. A landmark defence deal with Türkiye is in its final stages, an agreement that will likely witness Dhaka acquire the SIPER long-range air defense system and possibly co-produce Turkish combat drones. Since 2010, Bangladesh has imported 15 different types of military equipment from Türkiye. This effectively earns Bangladesh the title of the fourth-largest market for Turkish military equipment. Interestingly, the Milli İstihbarat Teskilatı (MIT), which is Türkiye’s spy agency, financed the renovation of jamaat-i-Islami’s office in Dhaka and organised visits by Jamaat and other Islamists, as well as select leaders of the July uprising, to turkish Arms manufacturing units (Halder, Majumder, and Khokon 2025, 169).By inviting an influential NATO member with an autonomous streak, such as Türkiye, into its inner circle, Dhaka is enhancing its leverage with other partners, including China, Denmark, and the U.S. For india, watching from the
For the first time since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, Dhaka and Islamabad are witnessing a thaw in relations, with recent developments signaling a potential shift in the dynamics between the two South Asian nations. In November 2024, Bangladesh and Pakistan reached an agreement regarding mutual recognition of halal certificates for halal products, paving the way for smoother halal meat imports and exports between the two nations. At the same time, the Bangladesh government signed a MoU with Pakistan for importing Atap rice.
These blossoming relations continue to spill over to the cultural front as well. Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has announced his highly anticipated concert, scheduled for December 21 in Dhaka. The event, organised by the Spirits of july platform, will take place at the Bangladesh Army Stadium and marks a cultural milestone, as organisers increasingly spotlight Pakistani artists over Indian performers in the post-Hasina era. Pakistani artists such as atif Aslam are gaining immense popularity in Bangladesh. Ali Azmat, the lead vocalist of the renowned Pakistani band ‘Junoon’, is also set to perform in Dhaka for his first solo concert in February 2025. Additionally, the death anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding Father of Pakistan, was observed at the National Press Club in Dhaka in mid-september 2024, marking the first time as Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.
Pakistan has expressed interest in establishing a university branch campus in bangladesh and enhancing cooperation in the education sector. The country has also offered 500 new scholarships for Bangladeshi students. The Bangladesh-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) discussed the issue at its ninth meeting in the capital on October 27. Dhaka University has also opened its doors to Pakistani students. According to the revised policy, Pakistani students will be eligible to seek admission to Dhaka University, and Bangladeshi students will also be able to pursue courses in Pakistan.
It is noteworthy that during his four-day visit to China in mid-March 2025, Yunus stated that Bangladesh could be China’s gateway to Northeast India. The seven states in the north-eastern part of India are called the Seven Sisters. Highlighting that these seven states are a landlocked region, Yunus remarked that Bangladesh is currently “the only guardian of the ocean”, effectively noting India’s strategic disadvantage. More recently, Brigadier General (Retd.) Abdullahil Aman Azmi comm
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India’s Concerns Regarding Bangladesh-Türkiye-Pakistan Relations
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The text suggests India is concerned about deepening defense ties between Bangladesh, Türkiye, and Pakistan, potentially leading to regional exclusion. As of January 31,2026,these concerns remain valid,though the situation is evolving.
Türkiye’s Growing Defense Relationship with Bangladesh
Türkiye has been actively expanding its defense cooperation with Bangladesh. This includes arms sales and military training. In December 2023, Bangladesh finalized a deal to purchase Turkish-made Anka-M Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) Janes. This represents a significant shift in Bangladesh’s traditional reliance on Western defense suppliers. Further, in February 2024, Bangladesh and turkey signed a military framework agreement to boost defense cooperation Anadolu Agency.
Pakistan’s Re-engagement with Bangladesh’s Military
Following a period of strained relations stemming from the 1971 Liberation War, Pakistan and Bangladesh have been cautiously rebuilding ties, including military-to-military cooperation. In late 2023, the Pakistani army invited Bangladeshi military personnel for training The Daily star. This invitation, along with a resumption of defense cooperation in February 2025 (as stated in the original text, and corroborated by reports of high-level military visits and discussions throughout 2025 New Age Bangladesh), signals a notable thaw in relations.
The Türkiye-Pakistan-Bangladesh Triad and India’s Outlook
India views the growing alignment between Türkiye, Pakistan, and Bangladesh with concern, perceiving it as a potential strategic encirclement. India’s concerns are rooted in its historically complex relationships with both Pakistan and Bangladesh, and its strategic competition with Türkiye. The original text correctly identifies that this realignment challenges India’s regional influence. Indian analysts have expressed apprehension that this axis could complicate India’s security habitat, especially on its eastern flank Hindustan Times.
China’s Role in Bangladesh
China maintains a significant economic and infrastructure presence in Bangladesh through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As of January 2026, China is a major investor in Bangladesh’s infrastructure projects, including power plants, ports, and transportation networks Council on Foreign relations. India views China’s growing influence in Bangladesh, coupled with the Pakistan-Bangladesh rapprochement, as a challenge to its regional interests. The combination of Chinese economic leverage and the potential for increased military cooperation between Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Türkiye amplifies India’s concerns about being strategically marginalized.
Breaking News Check (as of 2026/01/31 12:58:35):
* Recent reports (January 2026) indicate continued defense cooperation between Türkiye and Bangladesh, with discussions ongoing regarding further arms procurement Defence Talk.
* Pakistan and Bangladesh held joint military exercises in early 2026,demonstrating a deepening of military ties Pakistan Today.
* India has responded by strengthening its own defense and economic partnerships in the region, including increased engagement with Nepal and Bhutan.
