India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has cautioned against “a possible convergence of interests” among China, Pakistan and Bangladesh, saying it could pose significant challenges to India’s internal stability.
Speaking at an event hosted by the private think-tank Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, Gen Chauhan said, “There is a possible convergence of interest we can talk about between China, Pakistan and Bangladesh that may have implications for India’s stability and security dynamics”.
His remarks come against the backdrop of a diplomatic downturn in India-Bangladesh relations following the ouster of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina last year through a popular uprising, who later sought refuge in India.
Gen Chauhan also raised concerns about shifting geopolitical alignments in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), claiming that the region’s economic vulnerabilities have enabled external actors to deepen their influence. “The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has allowed outside powers to leverage their influence through debt diplomacy, creating vulnerabilities for India. Similarly, frequent shifts in government in South Asia, with changing geopolitical equations and ideological views, pose another major challenge”, he said.
During his speech, Gen Chauhan also spoke about the May 7–10 military conflict between India and Pakistan, describing it as potentially the first time two nuclear-armed nations directly engaged in combat. “So, Operation Sindoor, in that manner, is slightly unique in itself, and it may hold lessons not only for the subcontinent, but for the entire world,” he said.
On China’s involvement, he noted: “It is challenging to determine the extent of state support provided by China to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor”, and added that no unusual activity was observed along India’s northern borders during the conflict.
