China Building Airbase in Bangladesh: A Strategic Challenge for India

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs has warned that the changing political situation in Bangladesh has become India’s most serious strategic challenge since the 1971 war. This report, presented in Parliament on December 18, was chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. The report points to political instability in Bangladesh, the return of Islamic forces, and the growing influence of China and Pakistan. Particularly concerning is China’s efforts to build an airbase, submarine bases, and its attempts to influence Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh. The committee has suggested that the Indian government closely monitor the activities of foreign powers in Bangladesh.

The report is timely as Bangladesh is currently facing significant political instability. Extremist student groups in the country have been publicly making anti-India statements and have been vocal against India’s regional integrity. This increasing involvement of China and the growing political instability in Bangladesh present a serious concern for India's strategic interests in the region.