Indian Army Chief's remarks

The remarks of the Indian Army Chief regarding "planned migration" from Bangladesh and "proxy war" are not only irresponsible but also insensitive. He ascribes very dubious motives, that the "planned migration" of Bangladeshis into the Indian Northeast, particularly into Assam, is being done with the intention of changing the demographic character of the region, likening it to "Lebensraum". He further accuses Bangladesh of being in cahoots with India's two archrivals, Pakistan and China.

Regrettably, General Rawat sounds like a politician, not a soldier. We wonder what provoked the Indian Army Chief to make such outlandish remarks, particularly at this point in time when Bangladesh is itself engaged in addressing a critical situation which impinges on its security, the Rohingya problem.

The recent comments, come as they do from the highest ranking officer of the Indian Army, are very disturbing, since those have serious ramifications on the current state of Bangladesh-India relations, which have never been better. It is more disturbing when taken in the context of actions Bangladesh has taken in the last ten years to assuage India's security concerns regarding its northeast. And to patently insinuate malintent on the part of Bangladesh in collusion with other countries, when our prime minister has repeatedly committed her firm resolve not to allow our territory to be used against any unfriendly activity against India, and has lived up to her words, is not only injudicious but also unwarranted.

Bangladesh is committed to peaceful and harmonious coexistence with its neighbours, and its policies, both regional and extra-regional, have amply demonstrated that. Whoever suggests otherwise is either ignorant or not in sync with reality.