DGFI chief's Delhi visit signals push to revive Bangladesh-India security cooperation

Director General of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury visited New Delhi from 1–3 March, marking the first high-level visit from Bangladesh since the BNP returned to power and Tarique Rahman became prime minister.

During the visit, Maj Gen Chowdhury held meetings with Parag Jain, head of the Research and Analysis Wing, and R S Raman, according to Indian media reports.

Spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the visit, saying the DGFI chief held discussions with "his interlocutors".

Officials in New Delhi see the engagements as a step towards reviving security cooperation between the two neighbours after strains during the tenure of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

According to reports, both sides reached an understanding that neither country should be used by individuals with interests "that are inimical to the other".

The meetings marked the first engagement between senior security officials of the two countries since the new government took office in Dhaka following February's general election.

Security cooperation has long been a cornerstone of India's regional policy. Observers say the early engagement on such a sensitive issue reflects an effort by both sides to reset ties.

Former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das described the development as a positive signal.

"It is a good sign that senior security officials of India and Bangladesh engaged with each other after the change of guard in Dhaka," she told The Business Standard.

Addressing concerns over the BNP's past record during the 2001–06 government led by Khaleda Zia, when India repeatedly raised allegations of "insurgent groups operating from Bangladesh", Das said the situation today is different.

"Today's BNP is completely different from the BNP in 2001–6," she said, noting that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, which was part of the BNP-led government at the time, is no longer in government.

She also pointed out that India's security situation in its north-eastern region has improved significantly since earlier Bangladeshi authorities handed over leaders of the insurgent group United Liberation Front of Asom.

Das also noted that Tarique Rahman avoided anti-India rhetoric during the election campaign despite political pressure.

"Tarique Rahman seems to have decided to handle Bangladesh's relations with India differently. He has shown a high degree of maturity," she said.

Bangladesh and India already maintain institutional mechanisms for addressing cross-border security concerns, including cooperation between the Border Security Force and the Border Guard Bangladesh, as well as through a Joint Working Group.

The visit also comes amid Indian concerns during the interim government's tenure over growing defence engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan and the increasing activities of radical groups.

Analysts say New Delhi now expects Dhaka to remain sensitive to India's security concerns as both sides attempt to stabilise bilateral relations.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, has its own concerns, including the continued presence of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in India — an issue carrying legal, diplomatic, and political implications.