Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman will not attend a crucial international counter-terrorism conference in New Delhi later this month — a decision that Dhaka’s security officials describe as a “conscious strategy” to avoid unwanted scrutiny amid deteriorating ties with India.
The South Asia Counter-Terrorism Conference 2025, scheduled from October 13 to 16, coincides with the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave, which will see participation from senior military leaders representing over 30 nations engaged in UN peacekeeping operations.
Dhaka to send alternate representative
Despite initial speculation about Gen Zaman’s presence, sources in both Bangladeshi and Indian intelligence agencies confirmed that Lieutenant General Mainur Rahman, General Officer Commanding of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC), will represent Bangladesh at the event.
Gen Zaman’s most recent international engagement was in Malaysia, where he attended the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs’ Conference from September 22–27. “The event focused on fostering cooperation among Indo-Pacific states, addressing regional security challenges, and enhancing crisis coordination,” a source in India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
Meeting with Indian counterpart in Malaysia
Reports indicate that Gen Zaman held a brief meeting with Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on the sidelines of the Malaysian conference, though details of the discussion were not disclosed. The interaction, however, hinted at ongoing — albeit cautious — military-level communication between the two neighbours.
Observers believe Gen Zaman’s decision to skip the Delhi conference is a tactical move designed to minimize political exposure at a time when India–Bangladesh relations are at a low point. Both Gen Dwivedi and Gen Zaman assumed their posts in late June 2024, just before Bangladesh was rocked by a student-led movement that ultimately led to the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government.
Against this volatile backdrop, Dhaka’s restrained diplomatic posture appears to signal an attempt to balance regional engagements while steering clear of any step that might aggravate domestic or international sensitivities.
Calculated diplomacy in play
Analysts in Dhaka’s diplomatic circles note that Bangladesh’s choice of representation reflects a broader pattern of cautious diplomacy — one that seeks to maintain international visibility without deepening friction with India.
By delegating attendance to a senior officer instead of the Army chief himself, Bangladesh appears intent on sending a quiet yet unmistakable message: it remains committed to multilateral cooperation, but not at the cost of domestic political stability or regional neutrality.
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