Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:57pm on 18 Dec 2025,Thursday India Global
A parliamentary committee led by Congress's Shashi Tharoor declared Bangladesh poses India's "greatest strategic challenge" since the 1971 Liberation War, warning India risks "irrelevance" without recalibration. The report cites rising Islamic radicals, intensifying Chinese-Pakistani influence, and Awami League's collapse as key factors. Concerns include China's expanding infrastructure footprint like Mongla Port expansion, Lalmonirhat Airbase, Pekua submarine base accommodating eight submarines and engagement with Jamaat-e-Islami, now reinstated for elections while Awami League faces electoral ban. The committee recommended monitoring foreign military presence and offering Bangladesh comparative development advantages. Recent visa center closures followed radical Islamist protests, with NCP leader threatening to sever India's northeastern "seven sisters" under Muhammad Yunus's interim government seeking closer Pakistan-China ties. (PC: Lowy Institute)
