Did Bangladesh Just Threaten to Invade India? India’s Mega Push Says: Try It!

May 25, 2025 The Ink Post Desk 4 min read 24 Views

Bangladesh, once a reliable neighbor, is now showing signs of turning into a regional wildcard. With its interim leadership leaning heavily toward China and issuing aggressive statements against India, alarm bells are ringing in New Delhi. But India isn’t standing still — it’s responding with a potent mix of trade restrictions, political signaling, and billion-dollar investments to fortify its northeast region.

A Facebook Post That Shook Diplomacy

It all began with a Facebook post by retired Major General A.L.M. Fazlur Rahman, now an advisor in Bangladesh’s interim government. After a terror attack in India’s Pahalgam and reports that India was planning strikes on Pakistan, Rahman suggested that Bangladesh should seize India’s northeastern states if such a conflict unfolds. He went further, proposing a military pact with China.
Though Bangladesh’s official stance distanced itself from the post, the message was clear — Dhaka is harboring increasingly hostile voices against India. These weren’t just fringe opinions; they hinted at a broader ideological shift that India couldn’t afford to ignore.

Bangladesh Invites China Into India’s Backyard

The plot thickened when Muhammad Yunus, another top advisor in the Bangladeshi interim government, visited China in March. During his trip, Yunus openly invited Beijing to expand its footprint in South Asia, citing Bangladesh’s access to the ocean as a strategic advantage. He emphasized that India’s northeastern states — often referred to as the “Seven Sisters” — are landlocked and disconnected from international trade routes.
Yunus proposed that China use Bangladesh as a base for production and global export, describing the region as fertile ground for Chinese economic expansion. Given China’s ongoing claims on Arunachal Pradesh — which it calls “South Tibet” — the timing and tone of Yunus’s statements couldn’t be more provocative.

A Forgotten Airbase Comes Back into Focus

There’s another reason India is on high alert. China is reportedly showing interest in reviving a World War II-era airbase in Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh — just 12 to 15 km from the Indian border. According to media reports, Chinese officials have already surveyed the site.
This airbase sits dangerously close to the Siliguri Corridor — India’s strategic “chicken neck”, which connects the mainland with its northeastern states. At its narrowest, the corridor is just 22 km wide and is considered a critical chokepoint for both military and civilian logistics. Any foreign activity near this lifeline could spell serious trouble.

India’s Swift Response: Trade Restrictions on Bangladesh

India didn’t wait long to respond. It imposed trade restrictions targeting Bangladeshi exports, particularly from the textile sector. The move is expected to disrupt Bangladesh’s manufacturing costs and limit its market reach, while creating opportunities for Indian producers.
More importantly, it was a message — that hostile rhetoric and alignment with China will come at a price. But India also knew that economic retaliation alone wasn’t enough.

Reimagining the Northeast: From Border Zone to Growth Engine

India took this as an opportunity to shift focus toward developing its northeastern region. At the ‘Rising North East Investor Summit’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that geography is no longer a barrier to progress. He framed the northeast not as an isolated region, but as the gateway to ASEAN markets under India’s Act East policy.
The vision is clear: transform the northeast from a vulnerable periphery into a booming economic zone that can counterbalance Chinese and Bangladeshi threats.

Corporate India Joins the Battle with Mega Investments

India’s top business conglomerates have jumped on board, announcing unprecedented investments in the northeast.

Reliance Industries: Mukesh Ambani pledged ₹45,000 crore (over $5 billion) in new investments, doubling down on the ₹30,000 crore already invested in the region. His goal is to hit ₹75,000 crore in the next five years, focusing on telecom, digital infrastructure, and clean energy.
Adani Group: Gautam Adani committed ₹1 lakh crore (over $12 billion) over the next decade in sectors like green energy, roads, logistics, power transmission, and skill development. This figure doubles the group’s earlier pledge made just months ago.
Vedanta: The mining and energy giant announced ₹80,000 crore in fresh investments, including ₹50,000 crore in Assam alone. These will be directed toward oil & gas, minerals, renewables, fiber optics, refining, and setting up data centers. The company estimates the creation of over 100,000 jobs in the region.

Strategic Development as a Form of Deterrence

This investment blitz isn’t just about economics — it’s national security by other means. India is strengthening its northeastern states with infrastructure, jobs, and modern industry to insulate the region from external influence and internal unrest.
By turning the northeast into a development powerhouse, India is making a long-term strategic bet: prosperity and connectivity will be the strongest defense against hostile neighbors and foreign interference.

Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on The Ink Post. Get Latest Updates, Latest News on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Explainers.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn and Twitter to Stay updated!