B’desh official’s controversial suggestion on India-NE States

Dhaka

A former Bangladesh army officer and close associate of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has stirred controversy with a suggestion that Bangladesh should collaborate with China to occupy India’s northeastern states if India attacks Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack.

The remarks were made by Major General (Retd) ALM Fazlur Rahman in a Facebook post on Tuesday. He wrote, "If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy the seven states of Northeastern India," and further suggested that Bangladesh initiate discussions with China for a potential military collaboration.

Rahman had been appointed by the Yunus-led interim government in December 2024 to head a commission investigating the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles revolt.

On Friday, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs distanced the government from Rahman’s comments, stating in a media release that his views do not reflect the government’s stance or policies. "The comments do not reflect the position or policies of the government of Bangladesh, and as such, the government neither endorses nor supports such rhetoric in any form or manner," the statement read. The government also urged that Rahman’s personal views not be linked to the state.

In a related development, Yunus had earlier made controversial remarks in China about India's northeastern states being landlocked and dependent on Bangladesh for access to the sea, which also sparked tensions with New Delhi. The growing friction between the two nations was further evident when India withdrew a key transshipment facility for Bangladesh.