Bangladesh News and Discussion

[Amber G.]

Bangladesh's Jamaat nominates Amir Hamza as its candidate in the upcoming national parliamentary election.
Last year Singapore announced investigation on him for "propagating extremist teachings". He is also alleged to be an influential figure in Ansar al-Islam (AAI), a pro-Al-Qaeda terrorist organisation operating in Bangladesh,

[bala]

This is interesting from Himanta Biswa Sarma

https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1926623394843304183

Just like India’s Siliguri Corridor, our neighbouring country is also embedded with two narrow corridors of theirs.

First is the 80 Km North Bangladesh Corridor- from Dakhin Dinajpur to South West Garo Hills.

Second is the 28 km Chittagong Corridor, from South Tripura till the Bay of Bengal.

[williams]

This is interesting from Himanta Biswa Sarma

https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1926623394843304183

Just like India’s Siliguri Corridor, our neighbouring country is also embedded with two narrow corridors of theirs.

First is the 80 Km North Bangladesh Corridor- from Dakhin Dinajpur to South West Garo Hills.

Second is the 28 km Chittagong Corridor, from South Tripura till the Bay of Bengal.

WADR why should we care? BSF with heavier caliber weapons can rout them in few days if needed. i think our politicos and babus need periodic briefing on strategic and military matters.

[A_Gupta]

Prothom Alo English:

BNP has expressed its disappointment over the government’s failure to make any clear announcement regarding the national election, even after the meeting between the chief adviser and leaders of political parties. The party has called for the immediate announcement of a specific roadmap to form a national parliament through a free and fair election by December.

If not, BNP warned, it will be difficult for them to maintain their cooperation with the government.

According to sources, Jamaat held the meeting {with the Army chief} in an effort to ease tensions between the interim government and the military leadership.

The per capita income of Bangladesh increased to an all-time high of $2,820 in the 2024–25 fiscal – a rise by $82 from $2,738 in the previous fiscal year.

Over the past two days, most of the country’s political parties have met with Professor Yunus, expressing both their confidence in the current interim government and sharing various suggestions and demands. But is there any indication that the crisis has been fully resolved? No, there is no reason to believe so. There is no sign that either the political parties or the government have shifted from their respective positions. Dr. Yunus has basically listened to the political parties’ statements.

....
According to the press secretary, we learned that Professor Yunus stated he will not stay even a single day beyond 30 June 2026. If that is the case, then the interim government should keep this timeframe in mind and promptly present a roadmap for the election and the necessary reforms..
...
The deterioration of law and order has created a sense of insecurity among the public. People have yet to be freed from bribery and corruption. Meanwhile, protests in the secretariat, a paralysed NBR, and a locked Nagar Bhaban paint a grim picture of the current state of the country. The interim government surely understands that unless it gains the full confidence of all forces behind the mass uprising, it will be difficult to manage the situation.

[Dilbu]

India looks to revive '71 war airbase as China builds near 'chicken's neck'

India is reportedly accelerating the revival of a long-defunct airfield in Tripura in a calibrated response to reports that China is aiding the development of a World War II-era airbase in Bangladesh’s Lalmonirhat district, less than 20 kilometres from the Indian border.

Senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) visited Kailashahar Airport in Tripura’s Unakoti district on May 26 to assess infrastructure, land availability and visibility conditions, as reported by PTI. The site visit marked the first concrete step in restarting operations at the airfield, which has remained non-operational for over three decades.

The renewed interest in Kailashahar comes amid growing unease in New Delhi over the potential strategic implications of the Chinese-backed upgrade of Lalmonirhat airbase in northern Bangladesh. The site lies in close proximity to the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow, 22-kilometre stretch of land that connects mainland India to its northeastern states. Often referred to as the "chicken’s neck," the corridor is widely recognised as a critical vulnerability in India’s territorial integrity.

The Lalmonirhat airfield, once used during World War II, is reportedly being developed with Chinese support. While few details are publicly available, India is viewing the project as part of a broader pattern of deepening China-Bangladesh defence ties.

In contrast, India’s revival of Kailashahar airport carries both historical significance and strategic weight. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the airport served as a launchpad for the Indian Air Force and the fledgling Bangladeshi resistance. It was from this airfield that the first missions of 'Kilo Flight', the nucleus of what would later become the Bangladesh Air Force, were launched, using civilian aircraft retrofitted for combat and reconnaissance missions.

[VKumar]

There are very many disused airfields in N.E. from WW2. They were used for supporting the chinese against japs and for supporting allied troops in Burma. Many of these can be revived, not only for air force but also civilian use.

[A_Gupta]

The current Kailashahar runway is one kilometer. Land will need to be acquired to expand the runway.

Wiki says:
Kailashahar Airport (IATA: IXH, ICAO: VEKR) is a non-operational[1] airport located at Kailashahar in the state of Tripura, India. The airport was shut down in mid 1990 due to lack of space.[2] In December 2021, A group of 6 Persons of Airport Authority of India (AAI) conducted a Survey to start the airport soon with an aim to facilitate operations at the airport under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme (RCS). In August 2023, a delegation led by Tripura's Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury visited the Kailashahar Airport and proposed to revive it. The renovation includes increasing the runway length of the airport by acquiring 700 meters of land in the northern part of the airport.[3][4]

[Amber G.]

From a Group Capt (Fighter Pilot):

TWO CUTS

That’s all it needs
Just a weekend job for India

[RCase]

India should use the Russia-Ukraine example of Russia taking over parts of Ukraine when NATO threatened expansion. If BD makes rumblings of letting China or Pak setup shop near the Siliguri corridor, India should do the pre-emptive strike to make Chicken 65 of BD's chicken parts. Rather than straight lines, it would be better to have the borders defined by natural boundaries like rivers. Makes it harder for infiltrations. When China can salami slice parts of Ladakh, why shouldn't India salami slice BD?

[bala]

India is finally getting rid of these pests who infiltrate India and cause mayhem.

India Pushes Back 4,000 Bangladeshi Immigrants in Sweeping Crackdown
youtube.com/watch?v=hh6G4KhLZCk

4000 is a drop in the ocean. West Bengal has around 50 lakh - 1 crore BD fellows in kolkatta, howra and murshidabad. Tripura has around 70% migrant population from BD. In Kangress & commy ruled states there are many more. BDs in India are a huge threat and we never know when they will strike against the populace. Bangladeshis entered India illegally, not through an immigration process. BTW there is a huge Rohingya population that migrated from Myanmar.

[chetak]

India is finally getting rid of these pests who infiltrate India and cause mayhem.

India Pushes Back 4,000 Bangladeshi Immigrants in Sweeping Crackdown
youtube.com/watch?v=hh6G4KhLZCk

4000 is a drop in the ocean. West Bengal has around 50 lakh - 1 crore BD fellows in kolkatta, howra and murshidabad. Tripura has around 70% migrant population from BD. In Kangress & commy ruled states there are many more. BDs in India are a huge threat and we never know when they will strike against the populace. Bangladeshis entered India illegally, not through an immigration process. BTW there is a huge Rohingya population that migrated from Myanmar.

bala saar,



the fear or possibility of a ukrainian spiderweb like operation cannot be discounted with the 0.5 front raring to go.


This time around, things regarding the 0.5 front are much more out in the open, that ever before

[williams]

India should use the Russia-Ukraine example of Russia taking over parts of Ukraine when NATO threatened expansion. If BD makes rumblings of letting China or Pak setup shop near the Siliguri corridor, India should do the pre-emptive strike to make Chicken 65 of BD's chicken parts. Rather than straight lines, it would be better to have the borders defined by natural boundaries like rivers. Makes it harder for infiltrations. When China can salami slice parts of Ladakh, why shouldn't India salami slice BD?

Yeah, but these are just talks and innuendos. India will act if there is serious threat to her sovereignty. In the meantime, these countries will learn the hard lesson of leaning with the Chinese and losing ground. Until then we should not be wasting our time or money. We should invest more on our own security and slowly defang the .5 front. In the next 10 years our focus needs to be in improving the economy and improving per capita GDP. Things will fall in place when the major realignment of geopolitical power structures gets some stability.

[Manish_P]

Use occurences like this to push the border further into BD

BSF jawan abducted by Bangladeshi nationals in West Bengal's Murshidabad, released later

A BSF jawan was allegedly abducted by Bangladeshi nationals in West Bengal's Murshidabad district but was released a few hours later after intervention with the Border Guard Bangladesh, PTI reported citing officials.

“The incident took place in the early hours near Chandni Chowk, close to the Border Security Force camp in Sutiar, Nurpur in the district,” they said.

PTI reported citing BSF sources, that the jawan was trying to stop an infiltration attempt from the Bangladesh side near Kathalia village when he was captured by miscreants from Bangladesh’s Chapai Nawabganj district.

“He was abducted by Bangladeshi nationals and was held captive, but was released within a couple of hours after we flagged the issue with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The jawan is now with us and doing fine,” a senior BSF official of the South Bengal Frontier told PTI.

[A_Gupta]

https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/jfbppoutbo
54 years of Bangladesh-India relations: Who gained what?

Lots of detail provided, with the conclusion

“ In summary, over the last 54 years, India has gained more strategically and economically, while Bangladesh is still waiting for the promises and equitable opportunities to be fulfilled.”

[drnayar]

India is finally getting rid of these pests who infiltrate India and cause mayhem.

India Pushes Back 4,000 Bangladeshi Immigrants in Sweeping Crackdown
youtube.com/watch?v=hh6G4KhLZCk

4000 is a drop in the ocean. West Bengal has around 50 lakh - 1 crore BD fellows in kolkatta, howra and murshidabad. Tripura has around 70% migrant population from BD. In Kangress & commy ruled states there are many more. BDs in India are a huge threat and we never know when they will strike against the populace. Bangladeshis entered India illegally, not through an immigration process. BTW there is a huge Rohingya population that migrated from Myanmar.

bala saar,



the fear or possibility of a ukrainian spiderweb like operation cannot be discounted with the 0.5 front raring to go.


This time around, things regarding the 0.5 front are much more out in the open, that ever before

Buggers are already putting things into rail tracks, derailing and destroying railway property.. I say just shoot any hanging around security establishments

[A_Gupta]

Bangladesh elections announced for April 2026.

Let us see if Yunus goes through with it.

[A_Gupta]

IMO, decisive defeat of Islamists in the upcoming elections in Bangladesh is important for India.

How India can help get this outcome without making Bangladeshis perceive any foreign interference is a hard problem. But IMO, spending the months on this till April 2026 is worth the effort, it will pay dividends to India, basically one less headache for the next five years.

[A_Gupta]

Not sure if this signifies something:
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangl ... et-3913076
Thrill gone from Barishal’s rawhide market
Madrasas shift to direct sales, disrupting traditional trade

"Each large madrasa now has its own storage facility, using government-supplied salt," said a trader. As a result, fewer sellers are coming to the wholesale market.

[chetak]

[A_Gupta]

World Bank Poverty data for Bangladesh:

2022:

Poverty rate at $3 a day (2021 PPP) (% population): 8.01% in 2022
Poverty rate at $4.30 a day (2021 PPP) (% population): 25.85% in 2022
Poverty rate at $8.30 a day (2021 PPP) (% population): 72.16% in 2022

2025 "nowcast"

Poverty rate at $3 a day (2021 PPP) (% population): 5.6% in 2025
Poverty rate at $4.30 a day (2021 PPP) (% population): 19.3% in 2025
Poverty rate at $8.30 a day (2021 PPP) (% population): 67.1% in 2025

---
Looks like Bangladesh has more poor people and more well-off (above $8 per day) and the middle is hollowed out - relative to, e.g., India.
That may help explain some of the anger against Sheikh Hasina.

[Amber G.]

Asked PM Modi to stop Hasina from reaching out to Bangladesh, he said...: Yunus
When asked whether India was doing what Bangladesh expected, Muhammad Yunus responded without hesitation: "No." He confirmed that Bangladesh had written to the Indian government requesting Hasina's extradition.

[chetak]

Asked PM Modi to stop Hasina from reaching out to Bangladesh, he said...: Yunus
When asked whether India was doing what Bangladesh expected, Muhammad Yunus responded without hesitation: "No." He confirmed that Bangladesh had written to the Indian government requesting Hasina's extradition.

It was the wrong question, Amber ji.


The right one would have been: are the beedis doing what India expected.


It's our effing pond, not theirs. The greedy beedis have been leeching off us for many decades now, all the while bad mouthing us


Too bad youanus got hit hard in the Indian push back


the coordination and sync between the beedi and the paki provocations, aimed specifically at the GoI, are just a bit too much to ignore and simply cannot be seen as coincidental.


Both provocations were/are based on intense hatred for the Hindus

[Manish_P]

...
Both provocations were/are based on intense hatred for the Hindus

With full support of Unkil

[chetak]

This nobel crook is not only entitled, but also conceited.

His assumed aukat is far above his station in life.

"I asked Modi to help stop Sheikh Hasina from speaking & causing anger in Bangladesh.

He said This's era of social media & we can't control it.

What can I say now?

You can't just walk away saying this"-Muhammad Youanus

WATCH VIDEO

[A_Gupta]

“ The UK prime minister Keir Starmer has turned down a request to meet Bangladesh’s interim government chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus, reports UK news outlet Financial Times.”

[saip]

World Economic Forum came out with their Global Gender Gap Report 2025. No one can beat Pakistan (that is a given) as it finished DEAD LAST (148 out of 148 - way to go Pakistan). Then India is somewhat better at 131. But what is SHOCKING/SURPRISING and totally puzzling is Bangladesh. Want to take a guess?








It is at TWENTY FOUR, higher than even the USofA. How did they do it?

[A_Gupta]

^^^ obviously non-fatal coup against a woman head of state gets you high in the standings.

Bangladesh is +75 ranks compared to its 2024 standing.

In the sub-components, Bangladesh ranks as follows:
Economic Participation and Opportunity: 141
Education Attainment: 115
Health and Survival: 123
Political Empowerment: 3

https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2025.pdf

In Political Empowerment, Southern Asia places fourth among regions, having a political parity score of 26.8%. In 2006, the region had the highest baseline score of all regions at 21.9%. Since then, it has advanced political parity by 4.9 percentage points – a solid effort that nonetheless has been outstripped by other regions. Of the seven economies in the block, there are two where women have not yet been head
of state and only Bangladesh has achieved political parity at the head-of-state level {woman head of state in the last 50 years}. Only in Bangladesh
do women represent around one-fifth of ministers (18.2%). At the parliamentary level, Bhutan and Maldives are the only two economies with parity scores under 5%.

As Sanjeev Sanyal points out, these indices are mostly rubbish.
Bangladesh overthrew its woman head of state. How many women are there in the current Council of Advisers?
From here, I count 4/17 = 23%
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangl ... nt-3672791

Bangladesh ranks 24th in 2025, recording the largest jump in the global gender gap ranking in one year (up 75 places). Its overall gender parity score rises accordingly, increasing significantly, from 68.9% in 2024 to 77.5% in 2025. The most substantial contributor to this progress has been the performance of the Political Empowerment subindex. The proportion of women in ministerial positions rises from 9.1% to 22.2% between 2024 and 2025. Combined with Bangladesh’s parity in the head-of-state indicator, the economy now ranks 1st in Southern Asia and 3rd globally in the political parity ranking.