dhaka-prof-calls-for-nuclear-pact-with-pak-to-deter-india

Anti-India sentiments have escalated in Bangladesh after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, with growing calls for closer ties with Pakistan.

 

In a controversial development, Dhaka University professor Shahiduzzaman has urged the Bangladesh government to pursue a nuclear treaty with Pakistan to counter what he perceives as an increasing threat from India—a nation that played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.

“We have to develop a Nuclear Treaty with Pakistan. Pakistan is the most reliable and trustworthy security ally of Bangladesh. This is exactly what the Indians don't want us to believe.”

 

“We have to develop a Nuclear Treaty with Pakistan. Pakistan is the most reliable and trustworthy security ally of Bangladesh. This is exactly what the Indians don't want us to believe.”

~ Professor Shahiduzzaman, Dhaka University while addressing military officers at a seminar pic.twitter.com/gfAeZrTJcj

— Fidato (@tequieremos) September 14, 2024

Addressing a seminar organised by retired military officials, Professor Shahiduzzaman suggested that Bangladesh acquire nuclear missiles from Pakistan and deploy them along the Indian border, particularly in the North Bengal region and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

 

According to Shahiduzzaman, this move would serve as a strategic deterrent against India.

 

The academic, who is known for his pro-Jamaat-e-Islami views, alleged that India harbours expansionist ambitions towards Bangladesh. He claimed that India aims to annex parts of Bangladesh and integrate them into its northeastern territories.

 

“To prevent this, Bangladesh must strengthen its security ties with Pakistan and pursue nuclear capabilities,” he said.

 

Shahiduzzaman's remarks come at a time of increasing political and social polarisation in Bangladesh, with factions advocating for a return to closer relations with Pakistan.

 

Shahiduzzaman’s proposal 

 

In his speech, Shahiduzzaman proposed the deployment of Pakistan’s Ghauri short-range missiles along the Bangladesh-India border.

 

He argued that such a move would act as a deterrent to India, which he described as a “big threat” to Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

 

Shahiduzzaman further criticised the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing it of suppressing ties with Pakistan in favour of India.

 

“The Awami League does not want us to believe that Pakistan is our true ally, but this is the reality,” he remarked.

 

BANGLADESH: Professor Shahiduzzaman of Dhaka University wants a Nuclear Treaty with Pakistan to counter India. pic.twitter.com/oAO7ksyKcw

— Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) September 15, 2024

 

He added, “Nuclearisation of Bangladesh doesn’t mean we should become a nuclear power. By nuclear-capable, I mean we should enter into a nuclear treaty with Pakistan to ensure our security. Without Pakistan’s help, we cannot deter India.”

 

Growing pro-Pakistan sentiment

 

The professor’s comments reflect a broader trend in Bangladesh’s shifting political landscape. Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, Islamist forces like Jamaat-e-Islami have gained prominence, promoting a narrative that seeks to rekindle ties with Pakistan, despite the violent history between the two nations.

 

This shift towards Pakistan was underscored recently during the commemoration of Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s 76th death anniversary in Dhaka.

 

The event, held at the National Press Club for the first time in Bangladesh’s history, featured Urdu songs, poetry, and speeches that praised Jinnah, who is widely regarded as the father of Pakistan. Some speakers went as far as to claim that Bangladesh would not exist without Jinnah and Pakistan.

 

This development is significant, given that Bangladesh fought a bloody war of independence against Pakistan in 1971, largely driven by a desire to preserve Bengali culture and language in the face of Urdu imposition by the Pakistani military.

 

The country’s independence movement is a deeply emotional subject for many Bangladeshis, making the pro-Pakistan narrative a sensitive issue.

 

Interim government’s stance?

 

In contrast to Shahiduzzaman’s remarks, Bangladesh’s Interim Government, led by Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, has emphasised the importance of maintaining good relations with India. In a recent televised address, Yunus stressed that Bangladesh’s foreign policy should be based on fairness and equality.

 

“We want good relations with India and other neighbouring countries, but these relations should be fair and equal,” Yunus said, noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif were among the leaders who had congratulated him upon taking office.

 

While sections of Bangladesh’s political establishment push for stronger ties with Pakistan, the government seems keen on maintaining cordial relations with India.

Notably, the juxtaposition of Shahiduzzaman's controversial past with his political ambitions has sparked significant ethical concerns.

While his proposal addresses critical regional security issues, many argue that his personal conduct should disqualify him from engaging in such high-stakes policy discussions, especially on matters as weighty as nuclear alliances.

 

Critics emphasise that allowing someone with a history of sexual misconduct to influence national security debates erodes public confidence in leadership.

 

His call for a nuclear alliance with Pakistan also comes at a moment when Bangladesh is navigating its own #MeToo movement, raising important questions about accountability and justice.

 

The stark contradiction between Shahiduzzaman’s role as a public intellectual and his personal actions casts doubt on his credibility and integrity in shaping the nation’s foreign policy.

 

Future?

 

The rise of Islamist forces in Bangladesh has further deepened the country’s political polarisation. While figures like Shahiduzzaman advocate for a strategic alignment with Pakistan, there remains a significant section of the population that continues to view India as a key ally, particularly given India’s role in Bangladesh’s liberation.

 

However, with pro-Pakistan rhetoric gaining ground and anti-India sentiments being openly expressed, the future of Bangladesh’s foreign relations appears uncertain.

 

As Islamist forces continue to reshape the political discourse, the prospect of a nuclear partnership with Pakistan—though unlikely—marks a dramatic shift in the country’s security narrative.

 

Bangladesh’s political trajectory, whether it leans towards Pakistan or maintains its traditionally close ties with India, will have significant implications for regional stability in South Asia.