India has raised security alerts along its eastern frontier following an unusual and potentially consequential diplomatic move: the visit of Pakistan’s powerful intelligence chief, Lieutenant General Asim Malik, to Dhaka. This marks the first time in over five decades that the head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has officially traveled to Bangladesh—a development being closely watched in New Delhi.
A Visit with Historical and Strategic Weight
Lt. Gen. Malik’s presence in Dhaka on January 21 is more than symbolic. He was welcomed by Lt. Gen. Muhammad Faizur Rahman, Quarter Master General of the Bangladesh Army—known for his Islamist leanings and longstanding rapport with Pakistan’s military establishment.
Sources suggest the ISI chief’s primary objective was to initiate an intelligence-sharing framework with Bangladeshi officials, a move that could pave the way for deeper military and strategic cooperation between the two countries. This outreach, analysts say, appears aimed at counterbalancing India’s regional influence, particularly in the sensitive northeastern region.
India’s Concerns: Security, Sovereignty, and Strategy
The visit has set off alarm bells in New Delhi. Given the backdrop of recent militant activity and unrest in Jammu & Kashmir—including the Pahalgam attack allegedly linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and ISI operatives—Indian intelligence agencies are viewing the ISI’s eastern outreach as part of a larger destabilization agenda.
Responding to the development, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated:
“We keep an eye on all activities around the country and in the region, as well as all activities affecting national security, and the government will take appropriate steps.”
Security experts warn that if Pakistan succeeds in establishing covert operational bases in Bangladesh, the 4,096-kilometer-long border that the two countries share could be exploited for infiltration and subversion. Of particular concern is the Siliguri Corridor—also known as the “Chicken’s Neck”—a narrow, strategically vital land bridge that connects the northeastern states to the rest of India.
A Shift in Dhaka: From Hasina to Yunus
This diplomatic shift comes in the wake of a political realignment in Bangladesh. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, known for her pro-India stance and crackdown on Islamist extremism, was recently replaced by interim leader Muhammad Yunus. His administration has already signaled a thaw in ties with Islamabad.
Visa regulations for Pakistani nationals have reportedly been relaxed, enabling greater mobility for suspected ISI operatives. India’s intelligence community has flagged these developments as early indicators of a broader geopolitical pivot—one that could align Bangladesh more closely with Pakistan, and by extension, China.
China’s Quiet Footprint
The ISI’s overture to Bangladesh also dovetails with Beijing’s growing ambitions in South Asia. In past years, Bangladesh has expressed openness to Chinese investments and influence, even describing itself as a “gateway” for Chinese interests in the Bay of Bengal region. With the new pro-Pakistan tilt in Dhaka, there is mounting concern in India that Bangladesh could become a staging ground for adversarial activity—whether directly by Pakistan, or through China’s expanding economic and military footprint.
A Coordinated Threat to India’s Northeast
Analysts fear the ISI is seeking to replicate its western playbook in the east—potentially using Bangladesh as a launchpad to foment unrest in India’s Northeast. The region, already marked by ethnic tensions and insurgent histories, remains vulnerable to external interference.
According to Indian intelligence, efforts are underway to revive old separatist networks with covert support. The concern is not merely theoretical: in recent years, ISI has been linked to cross-border weapons transfers, terror training camps, and coordination with anti-India groups across Asia.
The Bigger Picture: From Khalistan to Kashmir
This isn’t ISI’s first attempt at sowing discord across India’s borders. The agency has long been accused of supporting separatist movements in Punjab through pro-Khalistani outfits. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has documented ISI’s involvement in terror plots, including the training of figures like Amritpal Singh and its role in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada—a move many believe was orchestrated to damage India-Canada relations.
The ISI has also been consistently linked with major terror groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed—organizations responsible for deadly attacks across India.
What Lies Ahead
With the appointment of Lt. Gen. Asim Malik—an influential and hardline figure—as Pakistan’s new National Security Advisor, India faces an increasingly coordinated challenge. Malik’s Dhaka visit is seen by many as part of a broader push to revive ISI’s regional influence, particularly in South Asia’s fault lines.
Though the Bangladeshi government has officially denied the ISI chief’s visit, Indian intelligence agencies maintain otherwise. The timing, optics, and intent of the visit all suggest a calculated move to expand Pakistan’s strategic depth using Dhaka as a new axis.
Conclusion: Vigilance, Not Alarmism
India now finds itself at a critical juncture. As geopolitical fault lines sharpen and traditional alliances shift, maintaining border integrity and regional dominance will require not only military preparedness but also diplomatic finesse.
While the government has pledged to act “appropriately,” the coming weeks may test India’s ability to counter not just one, but a network of adversaries—interlinked through strategy, ideology, and a common intent to challenge the nation’s unity from within and without.