A brief but significant interaction between India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Bangladesh Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser and head of the BNP Chairperson’s Security Force (CSF), Brigadier (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, on the sidelines of a BIMSTEC defence advisers’ meeting in New Delhi has triggered a series of high-level developments in Dhaka’s security establishment.
According to sources in Dhaka-based intelligence establishments, Islam used a 10-minute window with Doval to raise the issue of Rohingya repatriation. However, the Indian NSA reportedly conveyed that there was little scope to deliberate on the matter within bilateral or regional frameworks at present. The exchange is being seen as diplomatically significant, with implications for Dhaka’s strategic messaging.
Hours after returning to Dhaka, Islam hosted a closed-door dinner at his residence, inviting Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman and outgoing Navy Chief Admiral Nazmul Hassan. The meeting, held just before Gen Zaman departed for Istanbul, is being viewed as a crucial engagement amid evolving dynamics within the country’s military leadership. Notably, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan was not invited.
Sources suggest the dinner served multiple purposes — including conveying India’s position following the Doval-Islam interaction and hosting a farewell for Admiral Hassan, whose tenure as Navy Chief is set to conclude after the government reportedly declined an extension.
The developments come against the backdrop of reported differences between Islam and Zaman over the promotion and posting of several senior officers. For months, the government has allegedly withheld approval for the elevation of three major generals to lieutenant general rank. The timing of the dinner, on the eve of Zaman’s Turkey visit, is being interpreted as an effort to ease tensions within the top brass.
Admiral Hassan’s presence at the dinner has also drawn attention. He has been described by some sources as a key figure in the political-military developments surrounding August 5, 2024, when then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country amid what has been termed by critics as a “disguised military coup.” It is alleged that Zaman had been in communication with former Indian Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi around that time. Admiral Hassan is also reportedly under consideration for a diplomatic posting in a Western country.
Meanwhile, questions continue to surround internal alignments within the defence establishment. Islam’s appointment as National Security Adviser had earlier surprised observers, especially given the prior role of Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar, who had been closely associated with BNP leadership and political developments, including the return of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to Dhaka. Akbar, however, has remained largely absent from active roles in recent months.
Zaman has since travelled to Turkey to explore avenues for military technology transfer. According to an ISPR release, he is expected to visit Turkish defence industry facilities and hold discussions with senior officials to strengthen bilateral defence ties. A potential agreement on establishing a Turkish drone manufacturing facility at Bogura Air Base is reportedly on the agenda.
The Army chief’s Turkey visit follows recent trips to the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where similar discussions on defence cooperation and technology transfer were held.
As Dhaka navigates complex internal dynamics and external strategic considerations, the Doval-Islam interaction and its immediate aftermath are being closely watched for signals on Bangladesh’s evolving security and diplomatic posture.
By Pranab Mondal
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