'For peace in Bangladesh, India must break into pieces': Ex-general drops bombshell as Dhaka opens doors to Pak and China

Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus - File Photo

A retired Bangladeshi military officer has triggered strong criticism after claiming that Bangladesh would not experience stability unless India collapses. Brigadier General (retd) Abdullahil Amaan Azmi made the remarks during an online discussion, once again placing Dhaka’s hostile fringe rhetoric under the spotlight at a time when India Bangladesh relations are already strained.

Azmi said, “Bangladesh will not see full peace as long as India does not break into pieces.” His comments have been widely circulated on social media, fuelling anger among Indian observers who see this as part of a growing pattern of anti India sentiment emerging from sections linked to radical groups in Bangladesh.

Azmi is the son of Ghulam Azam, the former Jamaat-e-Islami chief who was convicted for war crimes relating to the genocide of Hindus and pro liberation Bengalis during the 1971 Liberation War. His family background and long association with Islamist politics have made him a controversial voice in Bangladesh’s public sphere. He has repeatedly used online platforms to criticise India and comment on regional dynamics in ways that undermine bilateral trust.
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His latest remarks come at a delicate moment as India and Bangladesh attempt to repair ties that deteriorated sharply after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. The political vacuum in Dhaka has opened space for actors who promote anti India narratives and push Bangladesh closer to Pakistan and China.

This shift has raised red flags in New Delhi. Recent reports have detailed how Bangladesh is becoming more open to Chinese investments and political influence, particularly under the interim administration linked to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. His advisers have been quoted by The Hindu encouraging Bangladesh to consider aggressive postures toward India. India Today has reported that Dhaka is seeking deeper engagement with Beijing in areas that include infrastructure and geopolitical coordination.ALSO READ | Pakistan’s ISI finds a new base in Bangladesh: How the secret deal puts India’s eastern flank at risk | Explained

Concerns are even more serious on the security front. Moneycontrol has reported that Pakistan’s terror networks, including operatives linked to Hafiz Saeed, are trying to build a second front against India by expanding their activities inside Bangladesh. Another detailed investigation points to a secret understanding between Bangladesh actors and Pakistan’s ISI, which places India’s eastern flank at risk.

At a time when India seeks stability along its borders, provocative statements like Azmi’s reflect the growing radicalisation inside Bangladesh’s political landscape. They also highlight the country’s drift toward forces that undermine regional peace and embolden anti India elements.