Bangladesh retired general calls for 'occupation' of northeast India if Pakistan is attacked

Retired Bangladesh army major general ALM Fazlur Rahman, a close aide of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, called for a strong military response against India in case New Delhi launches an offensive against Pakistan amid the region’s escalating tensions.

In a Facebook post, the retired general stated, “If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy seven states of North East India. I think it needs to start discussing joint military system with China.”

His remarks come at a time when relations between India and Bangladesh appear strained.

India has increasingly voiced criticism over the revolutionary political movement in Bangladesh and alleged mistreatment of the Hindu minority. New Delhi also provided refuge to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid, further souring ties between the two neighbors.

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Meanwhile, the current interim government in Dhaka and the public sentiment in Bangladesh have adopted a defiant stance against India’s dominant and interventionist behavior in the region.

Tensions in South Asia escalated further after the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which India has used as a pretext for aggressive rhetoric and threats toward Pakistan.

In his post, Gen (retd) Rahman criticised India’s hegemonic attitude toward its smaller neighbors, particularly Bangladesh, and reiterated his opposition to India’s interference in domestic affairs.

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He also emphasised the shared responsibility of Bangladesh and Pakistan as two major Muslim countries in South Asia to protect the interests of Muslims in India and the broader region.

“This time Narendra Modi government has planned to kill tourists and blame Pakistan in Pahelgam and attack Pakistan. If India could destroy Pakistan, can you imagine the extent of India's threat to Bangladesh's freedom and sovereignty! So military protection of Pakistan has now become essential for our existence,” he added.