Unusual military movements within Bangladesh have captured the attention of New Delhi, raising significant security concerns for India’s strategic Siliguri Corridor. A large Antonov AN-124 cargo plane, reportedly from Azerbaijan, landed in Dhaka carrying undisclosed cargo and deliberately avoiding Iranian airspace. This clandestine arrival, with no official explanation, has fueled speculation about its contents and purpose. Simultaneously, Bangladesh Navy Chief Admiral Mustaq Ahmed engaged in discussions concerning naval cooperation and maritime industry partnerships with Pakistan during the Pakistan International Maritime Exhibition and Conference (PIMEC) 2025 in Karachi. While framed as routine, this increased defense engagement with Islamabad signifies a deepening relationship.
Adding to the heightened unease, a U.S. military C-130 Hercules aircraft brought over a hundred American soldiers to Chattogram. The troops checked into a local luxury hotel, with their presence and mission unexplained. The proximity of Chattogram, less than 100 kilometers from India’s vital Siliguri Corridor, the ‘chicken’s neck’ connecting its northeastern states, is a critical point of concern. This narrow passage is a significant strategic vulnerability for India, making any foreign military activity in its vicinity a matter of immediate attention. The convergence of U.S. and Pakistani military presence near this sensitive area has ignited worries in New Delhi about a potential shift in regional security dynamics. Security analysts interpret these developments as a strategic reorientation by Bangladesh, fostering parallel military ties with Pakistan for shipbuilding and defense technology, the U.S. for training and logistics, and potentially Azerbaijan for equipment acquisition. This evolving landscape in the Bay of Bengal, marked by growing geopolitical rivalries, now faces added uncertainty on India’s eastern flank. While no overt hostile intent has been declared, the confluence of discreet cargo flights, naval collaboration, and foreign troop movements near a critical Indian artery has intensified apprehension in New Delhi regarding Bangladesh’s future military posture and its implications for India’s eastern security.