From Estrangement to Collaboration: Bangladesh-Pakistan Intelligence Sharing and Indian Concerns

• The creation of an information-sharing network between the Bangladesh and Pakistan agencies carries substantial implications for the regional security landscape, particularly for India.
• With access to influence Bangladesh’s common people, Pakistan can propagate and support anti-India activity that can undermine Indian interests in Bangladesh.
• Deepening military cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan is a matter of grave concern as it can evolve into a military alliance against India.

The recent high-level visits between Bangladesh and Pakistan suggest a significant transformation in their relationship. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Asim Malik is visiting Bangladesh. According to multiple news reports, the purpose of the ISI Chief’s visit is to create an information-sharing network between the intelligence agencies of Bangladesh and Pakistan. The motive behind this rapprochement is unclear, but speculations are being made. It is speculated that this development carries substantial implications for the regional security landscape, particularly for India. 

Historical Estrangement and Recent Developments

As a result of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, Bangladesh became an independent country. It was Pakistan’s (then West Pakistan) step-motherly treatment of the people of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) that led the call for the creation of a new country called Bangladesh. During the war of 1971, the Pakistan army under Operation Searchlight killed an estimated three million Bengali people and raped 3 Lakh Bengali women.¹ Around 10 million people migrated from Bangladesh to India so that they could escape from this atrocity.² In the 20^th century, this event was one of the largest refugee crises. This barbaric act by the Pakistan army is also known as ‘Bangladesh genocide’. However, the United Nations has not recognised it as genocide yet. Bangladesh and Pakistan started a diplomatic relationship in 1974 but this event left a deep scar for subsequent decades. 

However, after the recent political shift in Bangladesh, a renewed engagement has started between these two states. After the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is moving closer to Pakistan. Dhaka, which was demanding an apology from Pakistan for its 1971 genocide, is now under Muhammad Yunus asking Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif to settle the issue of 1971. Some other important developments happened between these two erstwhile estranged nations such as allowing a direct sea link from Pakistan to Bangladesh, easing the visa process for Pakistanis, restoring military cooperation and creating mechanisms for their intelligence agencies’ cooperation. It seems they are aspiring to create a pre-1971 situation. 

Indian Concerns

For India, a closer relationship between Dhaka and Islamabad is a significant security and strategic concern. Historically, India has played a significant role in the development of Bangladesh. Even India was the most important player in the creation of Bangladesh. Therefore, New Delhi enjoyed considerable influence in Bangladesh to counter the Pakistani narrative. Now the growing ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan hampers the Indian position in Bangladesh.

The most important concern for India is that due to the closer connection with Dhaka, Islamabad gets access to influence Bangladesh’s common people. Pakistan can propagate and support anti-India activity in Bangladesh that can undermine Indian interests in Bangladesh. 

India’s northeastern states are very vulnerable. Since independence, India has been working diligently to eliminate separatist movements and control the law and order situation in the northeast, achieving significant success. But, under the cover of intelligence sharing Pakistan can support separatist movements in northeastern states which can destabilise the region. 

From the security and strategic point of view, it is not much to assume that Intelligence sharing between Bangladesh and Pakistan will be against India targeting the Siliguri corridor. Siliguri Corridor or Chicken Neck Corridor is a narrow strip that connects northeastern states with the rest of India. In addition to intelligence sharing, deepening military cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan has also become a matter of concern for India. There is a risk that their military cooperation can evolve into a military alliance against India. In this case, India would need to worry about and prepare for a three-front war (Pakistan, Bangladesh and China). The recent visit by a delegation of the Pakistan army and ISI to the Rangpur Division in Bangladesh, which is located near the strategic Siliguri corridor, gives impetus to this argument.³ 

Conclusion

The Bangladesh-Pakistan relationship is evolving which is a departure from historical estrangement to collaboration. The establishment of a new reality of closer relationship between them introduces new complexities in the region. The situation is odd, India needs to handle it very delicately. For its strategic concerns, India needs to employ proactive diplomacy in the region. New Delhi should have strategic foresight to maintain its strategic influence in the region. India can maintain a firm and resolute position while simultaneously employing a diplomatic and softer tone. It is also important to make Bangladesh understand that its economic growth at the right pace is not possible without India. In my previous article, titled ‘Bangladesh’s Political Shift: Can It Prosper Without India?’⁴, I discussed the significance of India for Bangladesh’s survival. Here, Bangladesh also needs to understand that increasing Islamic radicalisation is not good for the country’s health. They are opting for the same fate, Pakistan opted for decades ago. 

 References:

1. _{Habib, H. (2022, January 30). In East Pakistan in 1971: A ‘forgotten’ genocide. Frontline. https://frontline.thehindu.com/world-affairs/in-east-pakistan-in-1971-a-forgotten-genocide-bangladesh-liberation-war/article38307183.ece} 
2. _Ibid
3. _{Tamta, P. (2025, January 23). Bangladesh brings Pakistan Army to Rangpur, close to India’s “Chicken’s Neck” corridor in West Bengal. DNA India. https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-bangladesh-brings-pakistan-army-to-rangpur-close-to-india-s-chicken-s-neck-corridor-in-west-bengal-3128622#google_vignette}
4. _{Keserwani, A. (2024, October 1). Bangladesh’s Political Shift: Can It Prosper Without India? Samvada World. Samvada World. https://samvadaworld.com/analysis/bangladeshs-political-shift-can-it-prosper-without-india/}

Ashish Keserwani

Ashish Keserwani is a PhD research scholar at Amity University Uttar Pradesh. His research focuses on the dynamics of South Asia, with a particular emphasis on great power rivalries. His work explores the complex interactions among India, Pakistan, and other regional actors, as well as China and the US. Views expressed are the author’s own.