SOURCE: AFI

In a highly inflammatory post on Facebook, Major General (Retd.) A.L.M. Fazlur Rahman of the Bangladesh Army has called for Bangladesh to invade and occupy India’s seven northeastern states in the event of an Indian attack on Pakistan. Adding to the provocative nature of his statement, Rahman suggested that Bangladesh should initiate discussions with China for joint military actions to achieve this objective. The remarks, which have drawn sharp criticism and raised concerns about regional stability, come at a time of heightened tensions in South Asia.
In his post, Rahman wrote: “If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should invade and occupy India’s seven northeastern states. In my opinion, Bangladesh should start discussions with China for joint military actions in this regard.” The retired general’s comments refer to India’s northeastern region, comprising Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura, often referred to as the “Seven Sisters.” These states are connected to the rest of India by the narrow Siliguri Corridor, making the region geopolitically sensitive.
Rahman’s statement appears to be a speculative scenario contingent on a hypothetical Indian military action against Pakistan, a scenario rooted in the long-standing rivalry between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. However, his call for Bangladesh to militarily engage India, with potential Chinese involvement, has been widely condemned as reckless and escalatory.
Rahman’s invocation of China adds another layer of complexity. China, a close ally of Pakistan and an emerging partner of Bangladesh, has its own strategic rivalry with India, particularly over border disputes in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. The idea of a Bangladesh-China military alliance targeting India’s northeast is likely to be seen as provocative by New Delhi, potentially straining India-Bangladesh relations.
India’s northeastern states are ethnically and culturally diverse, and the region has faced insurgencies and separatist movements in the past, some of which have been supported by external actors. Rahman’s suggestion of an invasion could be interpreted as an attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities, though analysts dismiss the feasibility of such a plan given Bangladesh’s military limitations and India’s robust defense capabilities in the region. The retired general’s comments have sparked outrage in India, with political leaders and analysts labeling them as “irresponsible” and “delusional. India remains vigilant against any threats to its sovereignty and will respond decisively to any provocations,” the spokesperson said.
In Bangladesh, reactions have been mixed. While some nationalist voices on social media echoed Rahman’s sentiments, others criticized the retired general for jeopardling unnecessary hostility. A Dhaka-based political analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, called the statement “a dangerous overreach that risks undermining Bangladesh’s diplomatic standing.” The Bangladeshi government has not officially commented, but sources indicate that Dhaka is unlikely to endorse Rahman’s views, given the country’s economic and strategic ties with India.
Military experts have dismissed Rahman’s proposal as logistically and strategically implausible. India’s armed forces, among the largest and most capable in the world, maintain a strong presence in the northeast, including specialized units trained for counterinsurgency and border defense. The Indian Air Force and Army’s Eastern Command are well-equipped to counter any external aggression in the region.
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