If India Declares War Against Pakistan, Bangladesh Should Attack North East With China's Support: Yunus' Aide

A close aide of Bangladesh's interim head Muhammad Yunus has made a provocative statement by claiming that Dhaka should capture India's north east region if New Delhi attacks Pakistan over the Pahalgam incident.

What Fazlur Rahman Said?

Maj Gen (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman, a retired Bangladeshi army officer and a former head of the Bangladesh Rifles (now Border Guard Bangladesh), has claimed that Bangladesh should start talks with China to carry out a joint military action.

"If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy the seven states of North East India. In this regard, I think it is necessary to start a discussion on a joint military system with China," he said in a post in Bengali on Facebook.

ALM Fazlur Rahman is the head of the National Independent Commission of Inquiry which is investigating the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) massacre.

Bangladesh Distances Itself From Controversial Comments

However, Bangladesh's interim government has issued a clarification over his comments saying that it does not endorse his remarks and Rahman has made these remarks in his personal capacity.

"The Interim Government does not share his views in any shape or form and does not endorse such rhetoric," Shafiqul Alam, press secretary at the Bangladesh chief adviser's office, said.

He further said: "Bangladesh respects the sovereignty and independence of all nations and expects the same from others. We urge all not to drag the government of Bangladesh in reference to Major Gen Fazlur Rahman's personal comments."

Bangladesh's relationship with India has strained after former Prime Minister Sheikh fled the country in August 2024. Since then, she has been staying in India. Also, the attacks on minority Hindus have only added to their woes.

ALM Fazlur Rahman's statement comes amid tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam incident, the deadliest terrorist attack since 2019. 26 civilians were killed by terrorists.

Both countries have closed their airspace to each other. India has cancelled all the visas for Pakistani nationals and suspended the Indus Water Treaty.