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In the shifting dynamics of South Asia, Pakistan and Bangladesh are rediscovering the essence of brotherhood that was overshadowed by decades of mistrust, Indian propaganda, and regional rivalries. The recent ten-member Bangladesh Army delegation’s visit to Pakistan, led by a senior lieutenant general starting August 16, marks a watershed moment in this process. More importantly, it highlights Dhaka’s strategic confidence in diversifying its partnerships and recognizing Pakistan’s defense and diplomatic value at a time when India is losing regional credibility.
“The rekindling of Pakistan-Bangladesh defense and diplomatic engagement is more than a tactical adjustment; it represents a gradual restoration of brotherly ties.”
The visit of Bangladesh’s senior military delegation is not just a ceremonial engagement. It reflects Dhaka’s acknowledgment of Pakistan’s evolving military professionalism, its operational credibility, and its proven ability to withstand Indian hostility. Pakistan’s defense establishment has consistently demonstrated resilience against India’s attempts to malign its global image or undermine its standing in the region.
Only recently, Pakistan’s operational success in the 2025 Indo-Pakistan standoff was recognized worldwide as a “military case study,” a recognition that naturally bolsters confidence among regional states seeking credible partners. For Bangladesh, this represents reassurance that engaging with Pakistan in defense collaboration offers a balanced alternative to India’s coercive and hegemonic tendencies.
The timing of the Bangladesh delegation’s visit is noteworthy. Between August 22 and 25, Bangladesh’s Army Chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, is scheduled to visit China, highlighting a clear trilateral convergence of interests. For years, Bangladesh’s defense posture remained tied to India’s shadow, but recent moves suggest Dhaka is consciously diversifying its security relationships.
This is not a rejection of India per se but a recalibration of policy—an attempt to balance ties and avoid overreliance on a neighbor whose regional policies are increasingly marked by coercion and adventurism. By engaging Pakistan and China simultaneously, Bangladesh signals that it will no longer accept dependency on India as the cornerstone of its security.
What makes this moment particularly significant is the context of India’s growing diplomatic isolation. New Delhi’s foreign policy setbacks are glaring. The imposition of multiple U.S. trade tariffs has dented its economic image, while its refusal to condemn Israel’s aggression against Iran has further estranged it from regional powers. Iran, in response, has pivoted closer to Pakistan and China, countries that extended unwavering support to Tehran in its hour of need.
“Bangladesh’s outreach to Pakistan and China reflects discomfort with India’s coercive and hegemonic tendencies.”
India’s rigid and selective foreign policy choices have left smaller regional states uneasy. If New Delhi cannot secure its own standing with major powers, how can neighbors like Bangladesh or Nepal feel secure in relying exclusively on India for their defense and diplomacy? Bangladesh’s outreach to Pakistan and China reflects this strategic discomfort.
Pakistan’s credibility in this recalibrated environment is not built solely on military strength but also on its principled foreign policy. Islamabad has consistently stood with Muslim states during crises, whether in defending Palestine, opposing Islamophobia in global forums, or backing Iran when isolated. This has cemented Pakistan’s standing as a reliable partner in the Islamic world.
For Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country with historical, cultural, and religious ties to Pakistan, this moral credibility carries weight. Beyond defense, it strengthens the narrative that Pakistan is a partner that respects sovereignty and cooperation, unlike India’s approach, which often seeks dominance and compliance.
Another dimension of this growing closeness lies in connectivity and economic integration. Afghanistan’s decision to join the Pak-China camp and approve the extension of CPEC projects into its territory has already altered the strategic calculus of the region. Bangladesh, keen to secure its economic future, cannot ignore the benefits of aligning with this emerging economic corridor that promises not just infrastructure but long-term development and connectivity across Asia.
India’s attempts to counter CPEC through narratives of “debt traps” or “geopolitical coercion” have largely failed, as evidenced by Afghanistan’s pragmatic acceptance. Bangladesh, with its strategic location and thriving export economy, stands to gain considerably by engaging with the Pak-China axis.
Unsurprisingly, India watches these developments with unease. The symbolism of Bangladesh’s military delegation in Rawalpindi is not lost on New Delhi. For decades, India positioned itself as Bangladesh’s security guarantor, projecting itself as the only credible partner in South Asia. Now, as Dhaka explores alternative partnerships, India’s monopoly is being eroded.
“Two brothers, once separated by politics, are moving closer again, with the added strength of a reliable Chinese partnership.”
The shift also underscores how India’s hardline policies have backfired. Instead of consolidating influence, they have created space for Pakistan and China to re-enter Bangladesh’s strategic imagination. The very neighbors India once sought to isolate, Pakistan and China, are now drawing Dhaka closer, shaking the old narrative of Indian indispensability.
The rekindling of Pakistan-Bangladesh defense and diplomatic engagement is more than a tactical adjustment; it represents a gradual restoration of brotherly ties that should never have been derailed by divisive politics. The two nations share a common history, Islamic identity, and overlapping strategic interests in maintaining regional stability free from hegemonic dominance.
For Pakistan, this is an opportunity to translate goodwill into sustained partnership, offering defense cooperation, joint training programs, and economic collaboration. For Bangladesh, it is a chance to assert strategic autonomy and ensure it is not confined by India’s sphere of influence. Together, with China as a balancing factor, the trio can redefine South Asia’s power dynamics in ways that frustrate Indian ambitions but empower regional states.
“India’s monopoly as Bangladesh’s security guarantor is being eroded as Dhaka explores alternative partnerships.”
The visit of Bangladesh’s senior military delegation to Pakistan, followed by its army chief’s tour to China, signifies more than routine diplomacy; it is a declaration of strategic realignment. It demonstrates Bangladesh’s trust in Pakistan’s defense capabilities, recognition of China’s balancing role, and rejection of India’s hegemonic posture.
Two brothers, once separated by politics, are moving closer again, with the added strength of a reliable Chinese partnership. This reawakening of brotherhood shakes envious neighbors and signals that South Asia’s future lies in cooperation, balance, and mutual respect—not coercion and hegemony.
The writer is a regular Islamabad-based contributor.
