A New Axis? Bangladesh’s Growing Alignment with Pakistan Sparks Security Concerns for India

Dhaka, Banglesh - In a watershed moment since Banglesh’s independence in 1971, a direct cargo vessel from Pakistan docked at Chittagong port, signalling a thaw in relations between two nations after five deces of estrangement. Panama-flagged ship, Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan, arrived on November 11 from Karachi, marking establishment of a direct maritime route between former versaries. This development underscores a major strategic realignment in South Asia, with significant geopolitical implications for India.

container ship, carrying goods from Pakistan and UAE, delivered raw materials critical to Banglesh’s garment industry and essential food supplies. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Banglesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, hailed event on social media as a breakthrough for bilateral tre, emphasizing streamlined supply chains and reduced transit times.  

Previously, absence of a direct maritime link forced Pakistani goods to transit through intermediate ports in Sri Lanka, Singapore, or Malaysia. Banglesh furr facilitated this tre shift by relaxing stringent import restrictions on Pakistani goods in September, a move that h previously caused significant delays.  

Signals of Realignment  

maritime link is latest in a series of developments suggesting a recalibration of Banglesh’s foreign policy under three-month-old Muhamm Yunus-led caretaker government, moving away from India and fostering closer ties with Pakistan. 

caretaker government has also taken controversial steps domestically, including cancelling national holidays commemorating Banglesh’s independence and suggesting a resolution of 1971 war legacy without demanding an apology from Pakistan.

At same time, Yunus ministration downplayed reports of attacks on Hindu minorities, labelling m as exaggerated, and raising concerns about communal tensions under its regime.  

China’s Expanding Role and Rical Islamist Influence

China’s growing economic footprint in Banglesh ds anor layer to shifting dynamics. Beijing has invested heavily in country’s energy sector through its Belt and Ro Initiative (BRI), financing nearly 90% of new projects. This bolsters Dhaka’s economic growth but ties it closer to Beijing, furr complicating India’s strategic interests.

Rical Islamist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jih-al-Islami (HuJI) and Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), have also gained prominence, often under guise of vocating for democracy. Indian intelligence suggests substantial financial support from Pakistan’s ISI and potentially Chinese entities to se groups, which incites anti-India sentiment and destabilizes regional harmony.  

India’s Concerns and Strategic Challenges  

India views se developments with growing alarm, as y signify a potential geopolitical alignment between its eastern and western neighbours, historically versarial to New Delhi. strategic implications include:  

direct maritime link between Pakistan and Banglesh represents more than just logistical convenience—it is a harbinger of shifting alliances in South Asia. For India, stakes are high as it navigates a changing regional landscape marked by Banglesh’s pivot toward Pakistan and China. New Delhi must recalibrate its diplomatic and strategic engagement to counter this emerging alignment and safeguard its interests in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.