In a development closely watched by Indian defense and intelligence establishments, a high-level Bangladesh Army delegation paid a six-day visit to China to explore the acquisition and transfer of drone and anti-drone (Anti-UAV) technologies, said sources in the Union government’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The visit, which comes amid regional tensions and increasing geopolitical posturing, holds critical implications for India’s eastern security architecture—especially in the context of Bangladesh’s recent military upgrades and its potential involvement in operations along the Myanmar border.
“According to a ‘limited’ office order dated April 10 and issued by the Armed Forces Division under the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, the five-member team is led by Major General I.K.M. Mostasenul Baki and includes three brigadiers and a captain. The team was in China from April 13 to 18, holding talks with Fushan Electronic Technology Limited to explore AI-enabled UAV and anti-UAV systems with a focus on future local production capabilities,” said an MEA official..
This initiative appears to be part of Dhaka’s broader effort to modernise its armed forces, particularly in the domain of unmanned aerial systems. The timing of the move is significant, as Bangladesh is reportedly preparing to potentially contribute to a US-backed multilateral operation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State—a region currently facing renewed unrest and refugee outflows.
India, which shares a sensitive and porous border with both Bangladesh and Myanmar, views any enhanced military deployment in the region—especially involving advanced surveillance or strike drones—with strategic caution.
Bangladesh already possesses Turkish-made Bayraktar TB-2 UAVs, which were spotted flying missions in the India-Bangladesh border region of Meghalaya in December 2024. “The drones, capable of long-endurance flights of over 27 hours, reportedly conducted surveillance missions over Bangladeshi airspace, but their unusually prolonged flight patterns raised alarms within Indian intelligence circles,” said the official.
Sources within Indian defense agencies confirmed that Border Security Force (BSF) units had observed UAV operations near the border that exceeded normal patrol behavior, prompting a detailed analysis of the potential intelligence-gathering intentions behind such missions.
Growing Ties with Turkish Defense Sector
Further reinforcing India’s concerns, Major General Jahangir Alam, head of Bangladesh’s military intelligence agency DGFI, attended an international intelligence conference in Spain earlier this month. On the sidelines, he reportedly met with the head of Turkey’s intelligence agency, Milli Istihbarat Teskilati (MIT), to discuss deeper bilateral military cooperation. Indian security sources believe these talks likely included discussions on advanced drone systems and tactical intelligence equipment.
Turkey’s drone capabilities, particularly the Bayraktar TB-2 and the more sophisticated Akinci platforms, have seen successful deployment in conflict zones such as Ukraine, Syria, and Libya. These drones, developed by Baykar Technologies, are equipped for reconnaissance, precision strikes and battlefield awareness—making them strategic assets in any theater of conflict.
Implications for India’s Eastern Theatre
India’s eastern border remains sensitive due to the ongoing instability in Myanmar and the historical volatility of districts like Kaliachak, Malda and parts of Assam and Meghalaya. “The increasing militarisation of Bangladesh’s border regions, combined with advanced surveillance and strike capabilities, adds a new layer to India’s threat perception—especially if such technologies are deployed in close proximity to Indian territory,” explained the officer..
While Bangladesh continues to maintain friendly diplomatic relations with India, the involvement of external powers such as China and Turkey in its defense modernisation strategy may create new challenges for strategic equilibrium in South Asia. The China connection is particularly significant given India’s ongoing border tensions with Beijing and its growing rivalry with China in the Indian Ocean Region.
India’s defense planners may now feel the need to recalibrate surveillance operations along the eastern front and potentially boost drone defense capabilities in the Northeast to counterbalance any emerging asymmetries.
“As Bangladesh moves toward acquiring AI-driven military technologies and enhancing indigenous drone production capacities, New Delhi must monitor these developments with a balanced yet vigilant approach. Enhanced engagement with Dhaka, intelligence-sharing mechanisms and cooperative border security protocols may become even more crucial to maintain regional stability while avoiding strategic surprises,” said another MEA source.
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